Research Space / Fashion and Beauty

Engaging Topics. Come hang with writer Erika Veurink and me as we dig into friendships, dating, marriage, sex, and embarrassing stories.

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Subscriber Participation. This talk is for all subscribers, both free and paid.

Anniversary Celebration. We’re celebrating one year of Big Salad by offering a huge giveaway of my 12 favorite things.

Exclusive Content. This issue will land in paid subscribers’ inboxes on Friday, and it’s going to be good.

App Accessibility. Get more from Joanna Goddard in the Substack app, available for iOS and Android.

Live Stream Announcement. We’re excited to host our first-ever live stream TOMORROW on the Substack app.

French Vibe Cardigan. The shoulder buttons on this one from Everlane endow it with a decidedly French vibe.

Affordable Cotton Option. A cute cotton number for not a lot of cash.

Cool Striped Sweaters. There are few things as tomboyishly cool as a good striped sweater, and there are a lot of good ones on offer right now.

Oversized Trend. An oversized specimen in brown, a color I have traditionally loathed but am beginning to like.

Cute Wool-Cashmere. And finally, a cute wool-cashmere option that I would reach for on repeat.

Wine Shade Mock-Neck. And I like the wine shade on this mock-neck too.

Understatedly Chic Colors. The combination of colors here is just really understatedly chic.

Fun Cropped Number. The variegated stripes on this slightly cropped number are a fun touch.

Luxe Cotton-Cashmere. This Alex Mill cardi is made of a luxe-feeling cotton-cashmere blend, and I dig that the buttons go all the way to the top.

Graphic Zig-Zag Stripes. The zig-zaggy yellow and black stripes on this polo neck are so graphic and fun, and I dig the hit of orange at the collar.

Supportive Family. My amazing teen daughter was my main encouragement during my weakest days – she loves it.

Read More. Click through to read the whole thing.

Marketing Strategies. The Status Anxiety-inspired marketing campaign we went with? Images of young, thin models in expensive-looking dresses and the tagline, 'Guaranteed to get compliments.'

Self-Identity Challenges. Our sense of identity is held captive by the judgments of those we live among.

Silver Sisters Movement. More recently, the Silver Sisters movement has emerged to help women embrace going gray.

Historical Context. In her 1980 book The Cancer Journals, Audre Lorde wrote about how the pressure to 'whiten your teeth, cover up your smells, color your gray hair and iron out your wrinkles' turns women into 'decorative machines of consumer function'.

Ageism Awareness. Challenging the ageist appearance standards that earn us (women, primarily) the outside approval we crave is necessary.

Reality of Approval. Not really... your desire for 'outside approval' is a common human condition.

Beauty Industry Tactics. Lately, the beauty industry has been leaning extra-hard into the people-will-like-you-if-you-use-this-product technique.

Cultural Pressure. Your desire to be complimented... is only natural. It's also ripe for capitalization.

External Validation. It made me realize how much I relied on outside feedback for confidence.

Personal Transformation. Tired of a 2-to-3 hour, $100 hair appointment every three to four weeks, I stopped covering my gray with dark brown dye.

Streamlined Design. From Vince, the ideal streamlined tomboy shape, with a bit of a platform sole.

Snappy Style. I like the longer shaft and cap toe on this snappy pair.

Fashiony Choices. These are a bit more fashiony than I usually show.

Affordable Madewell Choice. This pair from Madewell mines a similar vein for cheaper.

Footwear for Comfort. If neuromas, bunions, or some other middle-aged foot maladies don’t prevent you from wearing pointy-toe boots, you could do worse than these.

Insulated Pair Preference. I also like this insulated pair for the chillier months.

Image Details. This pair manages to look clunky and polished at the same time.

Investment Worthiness. A nicely streamlined pair that’s maybe worth the investment.

Fashionable Options. I do think they’re cool.

Shopping Consideration. Common sense almost always prevents me from buying suede, but suede doesn’t help matters by being so cool-looking.

Blundstones Durability. I quite literally wore mine into the ground and ended up resoling them with Vibram soles and now they’re unstoppable.

Longevity of Chelsea Boots. I feel like most of us have had one pair or another of these in our closets for decades.

Flattering Silhouettes. Structured tops are becoming a prominent trend, as showcased in the spring 2024 shows.

Conversion Potential. The deep-V style can both conceal or create a waistline, making it a practical choice.

Practical Dress. An extremely practical black silk dress can be worn for various occasions, including an event at a child's school or a job with a stringent dress code.

Convertible Styles. Sheer clothes are still in rotation, but it’s essential to think about layering them effectively.

Lightweight Coats. Make sure your coats are lightweight enough to appease the pinning and tucking.

Skillful Layering. Layering is important because the days start cool but progressively warm up, requiring layers that are convertible enough to tie around the waist or stuff in a bag.

Summer Hits Integration. The principal dressing rule for postpartum dressing is to take your best hits from the past season and update them with complements you could not wear during that season.

Pre-Fall Dressing. Pre-fall dressing takes place now during the peak of 'Pretend it's an Editorial' weather.

Fall Excitement. The reason professional dressers get so excited to dress for the fall is because it comes after a two-month break from actually getting dressed.

Trending Jackets. It's still kind of soon to be craving heavier jackets, but there are so many good ones out there right now.

Chic Leopard Print. Sezane has got quite a few I’m coveting, including this chic collarless leopard print number.

Sweater Jacket. J. Crew’s textured lady sweater jacket rings in at under $200, and is just as cute as pricier iterations from fancier brands.

Polo Neck Sweater. A snappy polo neck sweater that goes for just under $50.

Faux Fur Toggle Coat. If I hadn’t already splurged on a fall jacket, I would go for this amazing faux fur toggle coat from Kule in a flash.

Harlow Pant. It’s Madewell’s ever-popular Harlow pant, denim edition, and I’m intrigued.

Affordable Button-Downs. I am always on the lookout for good button-downs under $100, and this one seems pretty cute and crisp.

Fingerless Gloves. I also ordered these fingerless gloves, the color combination of which I am enchanted by.

Knitwear Designer. I’m a big fan of UK-based knitwear designer Jo Gordon; her pieces are so colorful and happy.

Luxury Cashmere. The texture of this brushed cashmere cardi from Cos is so luxe, and the shade is a really pretty perfect grey.

Giveaway Plans. A huge giveaway of favorite things will be featured in the anniversary issue landing in paid subscribers' inboxes on September 20th.

Most Clicked Recommendations. The newsletter featured several highly clicked recommendations, including cheap drinking glasses and lightweight pajamas.

Reader Favorites. Readers shared their favorite things, such as icebreakers and romantic TV shows, showcasing the engagement of the community.

Samantha Irby's Message. In the comedy issue, Samantha Irby encouraged unapologetic enjoyment of one's preferences, regardless of others' opinions.

Life Advice. Some interviewees shared life advice, emphasizing the importance of being a helper and embracing simplicity during anxious moments.

Home Decor Recommendations. Simone Kitchens suggested beautiful home decor items, including HAY jugs and Noguchi lamps.

Preference Journey. Ashley C. Ford discussed the challenges of figuring out preferences and how naming them brings her joy.

Interview Highlights. This year, Big Salad published over 30 interviews featuring various personalities sharing preferences and life advice.

Consent Reminder. A date shared how he emphasized 'enthusiastic consent' during a moment at her home, which made her feel hopeful.

Ideal Partner Description. Joanna described her ideal partner in three words: kind, enthusiastic, and funny.

Insightful Reader Comments. Readers leave insightful comments, such as the attractiveness evaluation based on profile pictures.

Anniversary Celebration. Big Salad is celebrating its first birthday, marking a year since its first issue.

Open Writing Space. The paywall allows for more open writing about personal experiences like dating in her 40s without concerns of being discovered by family.

Reader Engagement. Readers described the newsletter as 'intimate and comforting after a long week' and 'like spending time with good friends.'

Live Chat Event. Next week, a live chat for paid subscribers is scheduled on Thursday, September 19th.

Aflalo NYC Launch. Yael Aflalo's new brand 'Aflalo' will focus on ideally shaped cashmere knits and uniquely tailored overcoats, launching later this month.

Soeur Clutch Asset. Soeur's clutch is praised for its leather stiffness and shine, ideal for completing a more languid look.

Maryam Nassir Zadeh Collaboration. Maryam Nassir Zadeh's collaboration with Ba&sh features eye-catching leopard prints.

Khaki Fashion Pairing. Khaki is noted as an ideal foil to metallic, rhinestone, or sequin accents.

Fluid Undergarment Trend. Fluid underthings remain popular, with styles like delicate mini skirts under structured tops seen this season.

Blazer Shape Changes. Blazers are changing shape, getting shorter and fitting well with low rise straight leg pants.

Low Rise Pant Revival. The shape of pants is leaning towards low rise, evident at brands like Tory Burch and Sandy Liang.

Alaia Show Gravitas. Alaia’s show this season showcased significant gravitas, enhanced by the setting at The Guggenheim.

Long Over Pants Trend. We’re wearing long things over pants again, with a more whimsical feel, exemplified by crochet details over sheer pants at Khaite.

Trans-Seasonal Outfit. An easily replicable, trans-seasonal outfit includes a lightweight black jacket and pants, a navy tunic, sleek sunglasses, and a masculine gold ring.

Irving Penn Portraits. These Irving Penn portraits of people in various trades, from 1950, are just asto...

NY Fashion Week. It was fashion week here in New York, and here’s some not-entirely-wackadoo street style for you to enjoy.

Top Winona Ryder Roles. On the occasion of the Beetlejuice sequel, here are the 20 best Winona Ryder roles, ranked.

Related Post. Read more

Engagement Invitation. You know the drill: ask whatever questions your heart desires in the comments, and I'll answer them there.

Elegant Menorah. Maybe the most elegant menorah I've ever seen.

Clash of Styles. I also kind of adore these brilliantly clashy bookends from Tom Dixon.

Cheerful Bookends. A quartet of bright and happy mismatched bookends.

Reasonable Pricing. This wall clock from Hay is a bit more utilitarian, and a lot more reasonably priced than the Nelson one.

Classic Ball Clock. This classic midcentury Nelson ball clock, which I've never seen on sale, is still not cheap but might be worth it.

Ironic Name. Design Within Reach has one of the more ironic names ever, because so much of what's on offer is—decidedly out of reach for most of us.

Deals on Decor. I found some decent deals by searching for smaller decor items instead of furniture.

Fun Dot-Print Blanket. This cute and graphic dot-print blanket would be perfect for mixing and matching patterns.

Classic Dinnerware. I'm so tempted by this classic Heller dinnerware set, perfect for dining outdoors because it's made of unbreakable melamine.

Attractive Dog Bowl. A more-attractive-than-it-needs-to-be dog bowl.

Stylish Dog Bed. A fun color block dog bed that looks nice and cozy.

Affordable Cashmere. Just a nicely slouchy cashmere V-neck cardi for not a ton of cash.

Sharp Ponte Blazer. And finally, a very sharp ponte blazer.

Feminine Dress. Such a pretty, feminine dress.

Relaxed Oversized Sweatshirt. A cool, oversized sweatshirt, for lounging about.

Adorable Sweater Vest. I have been wanting a knit sweater vest, and this cashmere one is just adorable.

Chic Striped Shirt. Such a chic and easy striped shirt.

Rugby Shirt Trend. This triple fleece popover henley looks a lot like a rugby shirt, which I understand to be a big trend this fall.

Perception of Value. A nicely chunky turtleneck sweater that looks like it costs more than it does.

Herringbone Pattern. Especially the cool herringbone pattern.

Emerald Green Trend. I think is both fresh and less-than-predictable this time of year.

Viral Videos. There are 75,000,000 videos like this on TikTok alone.

Toxicity of Trends. The problem is, the skin does need a lot in order to meet the unreasonable standard of beauty we're held to today.

Skin Routine Issues. Interview any dermatologist...and they will tell you the best thing you can do for your skin is simplify your routine.

Beauty Culture Impact. Beauty culture is pushing it forward—beauty culture being this sort of ambient but all-consuming societal force that compels us to focus on being as beautiful as possible at all times.

High Maintenance Paradox. I think the goal or point of this trend...is to be 'high maintenance' or 'ugly' when theoretically no one is looking: at night...in order to appear 'low maintenance' and effortlessly beautiful when theoretically people are looking.

Commodification of Sleep. The merging of the beauty and wellness industries is part of this, too.

Morning Shed Trend. Sara Radin explores the morning shed: 'a new trend signifying our morbid desire to be perpetually hot.'

Charming Amsterdam. What a gloriously charming city Amsterdam is; we had such a great time there, and walked all over, to neighborhoods beyond the (always lovely) tourist quarter, which was cool.

Purchasing Strategy. I always pick up a tube or two when I’m in Europe, because it’s a good bit pricier here.

Tommy's Boutique Visit. I was on my way somewhere else when I saw the Khasto storefront, the window of which was full of the most gorgeous textiles, many of them block prints.

Shopping in Amsterdam. One shopping rule I like to follow when traveling is that I don’t go to any store we have in the U.S., because where’s the thrill of discovery in that?

Picky Incense Preference. I’m picky, picky, picky about incense, and this stuff clears the bar.

Design Philosophy. The clothes remind me of old-school Agnes B or A.P.C., back when both of those brands were really good: classic, menswearish pieces with an often feminine twist.

High-Quality Apparel Investment. I don’t spend this kind of money on clothes too often anymore, maybe twice a year.

Rika Studios Discovery. I first discovered Rika Studios about 12 years ago, on a trip I took with my mom.

Shipping Delay Concern. I don’t know what the holdup is on them shipping to the U.S. (or opening a few stores here while they’re at it; it truly seems like a no-brainer).

Positive Arket Experience. This time around, I arrived in time to find the store stocked with brand spanking new fall clothes, and found much to love.

Dinner at Pilot. Last night, I met my friends Liv and Ryan for dinner at Pilot, a boat in Brooklyn that doubles as an oyster bar.

Cozy Sweater Choice. You can’t do better than a men’s L.L. Bean cotton fisherman sweater — they’re really cozy.

Ilana Kohn's Impact. As a Brooklyn mom, I love Ilana Kohn; she’s the gateway drug to Eileen Fisher.

Bad Sisters Anticipation. I can’t wait for Bad Sisters Season 2 (November 13th).

Non-Toxic Makeup. I swear by the non-toxic Olio e Osso stick in a watermelon-y pink shade.

Upcoming Event. This month, we’ll be celebrating the one-year anniversary of Big Salad with a live virtual event.

Grudge Report Popularity. Her most popular Grudge Report newsletter issue was called 'Some Recipes to Make When You Lose Your Bodily Autonomy'.

Humor Writing Advice. Bess Kalb advised, 'Have something very upsetting happen to you, then, instead of processing it, deflect with jokes.'

Bess Kalb Feature. I was lucky enough to meet humor writer Bess Kalb at a dinner party last spring.

Exhausted Consumers. Beauty brands are stuck in the loop of thinking social media is real life and that everyone gives a shit, when they really don’t.

Cosmetic Surgery Language. The language around cosmetic surgery is dumbed down to make it feel like a relaxing facial, despite it involving invasive procedures.

Facelift Age Concern. Stars are feeling the pressure to get facelifts at 43, which is a lot younger than most surgeons would generally advise.

Dolly Parton's Impact. Dolly Parton has defied societal expectations and beauty standards to march to her own beat in a male-dominated, ageist music industry.

Celebrity Brand Critique. So few celebrity beauty brands feel genuine and more often they feel like a ploy to extract hard-earned cash from fans in a way that feels genuinely exploitative.

Originality Plea. There's a chance beauty brands will be featured in 'demure' round ups by digital titles, but this trend is laden with unoriginality and risks scarring a brand.

Layering Trend. This long sleeve tissue tee from Lovechild 1979 should be worn with layers over.

Favorite Author. The book I’d been reading (August Blue) by Deborah Levy reminded me why she’s one of my favorite authors.

Finding Peace. It is a tender reminder that there can be peace within the most honest and vulnerable moments of fury.

Maternal Connection. At one point during labor, I could feel my maternal grandmother and an echo of women that felt like a cascading shadow by my bedside.

Labor Experience. The arc of the pain starts on low then ascends over hours into what can be described as these high-peak and steep, frequent slopes.

Pain's Duality. There’s a poeticism about pain; when you slow down to it, you can feel its texture and hear its moan.

Style Note. No pants/bottoms (except for jeans) feel right these days unless they’re lowwwwww rise.

Cultural Shift. I think we’re entering our butterfly era.

Invitation for Recommendations. Please share more recommendations here, if you haven’t yet.

Travel to Amsterdam. By the time you read this, I will be in Amsterdam—thanks to all of you who wrote in with recommendations of things to see, do, buy, and eat.

Season's Closure. I hope you had a fantastic close-out to your summer.

Notice of Light Posting. If I do post this week, it will be pretty lightly, but I’ll be back here on the regular Monday the 9th.

Jessica DeFino's Influence. Jessica DeFino's newsletter 'The Review of Beauty' has been called 'the beauty industry fears'.

Emily Kirkpatrick's Work. Emily Kirkpatrick is recognized as the creator of 'I <3 Mess', a weekly roundup of celebrity fashion.

Cultural Critique. The Review of Mess podcast takes a critical look at pop culture.

Brand Collaborations. Auntie Anne's and Hellman's Mayo have both launched perfumes.

Tom Cruise PR. The podcast explores Tom Cruise's new PR strategy.

Cosmetic Innovations. A cosmetic chemist provides insights on swapping conditioner for hair masks.

Blake Lively's Backlash. A deep-dive into the Blake Lively Blake-lash is featured in the podcast.

Skincare Trends. The episode mentions the 'sploogification' of skincare.

Fetish Porn Strategy. Fetish porn is discussed as a PR strategy.

Jenni Kayne Discount. At Jenni Kayne, everything is 20% off, making this an excellent opportunity to nab some of her excellent knitwear.

Great Jones Offer. Great Jones is offering 25% off everything; this ceramic casserole dish is cute.

Fellow Discount. Coffee-centric site Fellow is offering 15% off most everything.

Anthro Sale. They’re offering 25% off designer denim and 40% off select home items at Anthro.

Everlane Discount. At Everlane, everything is 25% off, and I'm considering a few shirts.

Dusen Dusen Sale. Dusen Dusen is having a sample sale, with discounts up to 70% off.

Rifle Paper Gifts. Rifle Paper is offering up to 50% off, a good moment to stock up on small gifts.

Crate & Barrel Sale. Discounts at Crate & Barrel are up to 60%—I love these chic planters.

Brooklinen Discount. At Brooklinen, everything is 25% off; I recently acquired this cushy waffle robe, and love it.

Uniqlo Popular Bag. Various items are marked down at Uniqlo, including this virally popular drawstring bag.

Madewell Extra Discount. Madewell is offering an extra 40% off sale items, and 25% off select fall essentials.

Ban.do Discount. The goods at Ban.do are 25% off sitewide; I always find cute things I want.

Athleta Fall Sale. Fall items are 25% off at Athleta; I’m tempted by these comfy-looking high-rise pants.

Favorite Summer Spot. Berry loves visiting Michigan during cherry season and describes the locals as 'the nicest people I’ve ever met.'

Read More. For more details, refer to the article at the following link:

Beautiful Coffee Table Books. Berry has two coffee table books she loves, titled '(Nothing but) Flowers' and 'The Land Gardeners: Cut Flowers.'

Versatile Lighting. Berry uses a portable table lamp instead of the overhead light in her kitchen, stating it looks 'really chic.'

Travel with Produce. Kate Berry is notorious for bringing an extra bag for fresh produce on trips, such as cherries from Michigan and grapefruits from L.A.

Garden in the Sky. Kate Berry mentioned, 'Our apartment is on the 16th floor, so we have a garden in the sky.'

Dreamy Bookshop. I want to live at this idyllic bookshop in Tuscany.

Future Predictions. What the future—specifically, 2024—looked like in 1974. Some predictions came true, and others, not so much, but this is all-in-all fascinating.

Nostalgic Artifacts. These photos of vintage cassette tapes are such a fun nostalgia jolt.

Digital Influence. In an increasingly virtual world, everything we see is behind a shiny glass screen, creating a barrier and fostering self-objectification.

Real Skin Texture. Skin is not supposed to be glass; it always has texture and pores, and sometimes has acne and oil slicks.

Self-Objectification. The pursuit of glass skin is an age-old pressure to look like a Barbie doll, updated for modern times.

Injury Indicator. A waxy, glassy, shiny forehead is incorrectly associated with a 'glow,' which it is not; it is the sign of injury.

Communication from Skin. I’ve come to think of pimples as communications from my body, alerting me to what it needs.

Importance of Dead Skin. Dead skin cells serve an important biological purpose as part of the all-important skin barrier and store Natural Moisturizing Factors.

Pores Significance. Pores are outgoing channels for sebum and sweat, the skin's natural highlighter-slash-moisturizer and the body’s temperature regulator, respectively.

Beauty Standards Impact. Glass skin is a physical impossibility, and as such, the path to Windexed perfection is paved with products that always need to be repurchased.

Glory of Glass Skin. The aesthetically inclined have been glorifying glass skin for a while, since 2017 at least—long enough that the K-beauty creation is no longer a beauty trend but a beauty standard.

Glass Skin Trend. The trend of glass skin, as claimed by a PR email, is still prevalent, with over one billion Google search results.

Teenage Influence. From the time I was a teenager, I knew I wanted to work in magazines.

Unfulfilled Aspirations. I might even get a boyfriend. None of this happened, by the way.

Desire for Acceptance. I wanted to be perfectly, evenly tan like the girls in Hawaiian Tropic ads; as softly approachable as the girls in those (really creepy in retrospect) Love’s Baby Soft ads.

Childhood Memories. Its eventual arrival was always a highlight of my summer.

Fashion Issue Timing. Seventeen’s big fall fashion issue wasn’t a September issue but an August one.

Impact of Magazines. This thorny dichotomy in my brain—between being inspired by magazines but made to feel inferior when my life didn’t measure up to them—would last for years.

Magazines and Aspirations. I was endlessly inspired by Seventeen too, and subscribing made me feel vaguely as though I was a member of a club that probably wouldn’t have me as a member if they knew me.

Popular Links. Here are the month’s most popular links.

Event Photo Credits. Event photos by Dorothée Brand of Belathée Photography.

Capsule of Advice. My go-to dive bar is Loretta's. Don't tell too many people, though, because I get grumpy when I can't snap my corner stool!

Seattle Recommendations. We asked a few friends for their Seattle recs, so here are some great places to eat, shop, and hang out.

Upcoming Events. We can't wait for more events.

Event Future Plans. We were thinking maybe a reader talent show???

Reader Engagement. Our first and favorite reader question was, 'Do you want to be my friend?' to which everyone's resounding answer was, 'Yes!'

Conversation Themes. Kate and I chatted about everything from parenting advice to orgasms to female friendship.

Gretchen Yanover's Performance. Her music is warm and meditative and infused with light.

Special Experiences. Something we love about live events is getting to see readers, friends and colleagues in one place.

Event Highlights. Perhaps our favorite thing this month was heading to Seattle for a Big Salad live event with poet Kate Baer.

Local Delicacies. We enjoyed delicious desserts from Molly Moon of Molly Moon's Ice Cream and Robin Wehl Martin of Hello Robin Cookies.

Event Popularity. All 570 tickets sold out quickly, which is wild!

Monthly Issues Published. We've published four issues this month.

Exciting Sale. None of what’s on offer is especially cheap, which is why this sale is so exciting.

Clever Drying Rack. This wall mounted clothes drying rack is one of the cleverest things I’ve seen in a while.

Utility Cart for Bar. I’d use this utility cart to set up a bar, which is a vague goal of mine.

Aesthetically Pleasing Dish. A classic Dansk casserole dish that’s just really aesthetically pleasing.

Old-School Side Table. An old-school telephone table that would work great as a sofa side table.

Marked Down Table Lamp. I’m seriously considering going for this table lamp now that it’s marked down.

Utility Stool. A cute little utility stool for the kitchen or wherever.

Cheery Dining Table. I need a new dining table rather urgently, and I’ve had my eye on this one for a while now. The bright legs make it so cheery.

Modern Bed Design. This bed—inspired by early 20th-century iron bedsteads—looks so modern in blue.

Perfect Color Match. This blue/green floral quilt would be perfect for my bedroom, as I have a large photograph in those shades hanging on the wall.

Colorful Aesthetic. There is so much good stuff at Schoolhouse—I can really get with their colorful, happy, midcentury-ish aesthetic.

Travel Packing. I&#8217;m off to Amsterdam on Saturday for six days, and&#8212;as usual&#8212;am already preoccupied with what to pack in my cosmetic bag.

Hand Sanitizer. It seems like a good idea to travel with hand sanitizer again, and this one has the most delightful (and relaxing) lavender scent.

Travel Brush. A diminutive travel brush that detangles so gently.

Makeup Setting Spray. Urban Decay All Nighter is maybe the best makeup-setting spray I&#8217;ve tried.

Wrinkle Release. This Downy Wrinkle Release, which I now employ on suitcase-wrinkled clothes instead of a steamer.

Tinted Balm. This tinted lip balm isn&#8217;t technically a mini, but it&#8217;s pretty diminutive, and imparts a nice hit of sheer color.

Travel Razor. This Gillete Venus mini is just the cutest.

Makeup Removal. This Bioderma micellar water gets all your makeup off, and doesn&#8217;t dry out skin in the process.

Favorite Mascara. Milk Makeup&#8217;s Kush mascara volumizes like nobody&#8217;s business and is my favorite mascara of the moment by far.

Sunscreen Tint. It has the perfect tint for my skin tone.

Miniature Preferences. I just really like a good mini, like this Sol De Janeiro body wash, which has the best caramel-ish scent.

Naomi Watts' Book. Naomi Watts is writing a book: Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause.

Dollcore Aesthetic. DeFino discusses the 'dollcore' aesthetic in beauty and its implications, appearing in an article for Highsnobiety.

Vulnerable Demographic. There is a concern about how easy it is to convince a vulnerable demographic suffering from a lack of medical research to buy more wrinkle-reducing moisturizer.

Perception Drift. DeFino states, 'When a particular beauty trend or beauty standard becomes the norm, it can affect our perception of ourselves,' a phenomenon known as 'perception drift.'

Clinically Proven Warning. Sara Radin warns, 'Don’t fall for clinically proven beauty products,' highlighting that the medicalisation of beauty standards can promote unattainable ideals.

Human Features. DeFino points out that pores, texture, and wrinkles are not problems but basic human features, emphasizing, 'We do not need science to save us from pores, texture, or wrinkles.'

Silk Tee Preference. A washable stretch silk tee that doesn’t look like the most exciting piece, but that I think I’ll wear on repeat.

Essential Scarf. I never travel without my silk and cashmere scarf from Chan Luu—it’s the perfect combination of lightweight and warm.

Bringing Versatile Shirts. I’ll be bringing two of this, my favorite button-down, from the brand Cali Dreaming.

Summer Dress Choice. For warmer days, I’ll bring my perfect, and deeply flattering Universal Standard Shirt Dress.

Best No-Show Socks. These are the best no-show socks I’ve found—the material is substantial, and they don’t slip.

Ideal Personal Item Bag. My personal item bag will be the Luka Duffel from Calpak—an ideal bag, with plenty of pockets, a shoe compartment, and an appealingly puffy design.

Color Palette Strategy. My main packing rule... is to stick to a tight color palette, so everything goes with everything else.

Comfortable Plane Pants. I found a pair of Maria Cornejo jersey pants on the Real Real, and they’ll be pretty perfect for the plane.

Packing for Cooler Weather. It’s going to be a touch cooler there—lows in the high 50s, going up to the 70s—and so I’m packing accordingly.

Traveling to Netherlands. My husband Paul has work in the Netherlands, and I’m tagging along.

Playlist Creation. We also made a playlist of songs about exes that we hope you enjoy.

Source Link. Read more.

Podcast Transcript. here's the transcript.

Community Engagement. As always, please share your own stories in the comments — we would LOVE to hear.

Unexpected Encounter. One Friday, I walked in [to the pottery studio], and my ex-boyfriend was there on a date. He'd never even done pottery before.

Heartbreak Reflection. 20 years later, I’m happily sitting at my breakfast table with my husband and two kids not talking about the Merchant of Venice.

Podcast on Exes. In this podcast episode, I chat with my ex-boyfriend Colby, and funny friend, Ziva; and a Big Salad reader recounts a hilarious run-in with her ex at the airport.

Vivian Maier's Impact. Her work was discovered in 2007, and now she is considered one of the great photographers of the 20th century.

Critique on Commercialization. To take the inward experience of scent and turn it back outward toward a collection of mass-produced bottles is to negate its sublimity.

Celebrity Influence. These numbers are thanks, in part, to consumer perception of fragrance as well as investments in the space from celebrities.

Per Capita Contribution. In terms of per capita revenue, that means every person on the planet contributed $8.74 in 2024.

Fragrance Market Growth. Both the premium and mass markets saw double-digit growth year-on-year in 2023, and today, the global sector is worth an estimated $68.9 billion.

New Scent Release. Tory Burch released a new scent this week: Sublime.

Scent and Understanding. If anything in this scenario can be considered sublime, it’s the ability to understand what fragrance does to us.

Transcendence through Scent. Knowing aromas provoke emotion, realizing the capacity for transcendence is located in the mind.

Philosophical References. The name Sublime references what philosophers Immanuel Kant and Edmund Burke considered the height of aesthetic experience.

Scent and Emotion. Smell is the only one of the five senses that bypasses the thalamus, interacting with the 'reptilian' brain structures of the hippocampus and amygdala, which are associated with emotion and memory.

Perfume's Unique Aspect. Scientists have only recently begun to realize how complex smell is—far more complex than vision, and more intimately connected to the brain.

Kantian Sublime. Kant also described the sublime as 'a negative pleasure,' referencing Burke's explanation of it as being grounded in 'fear ... a pain ... a kind of pleasing horror, a certain tranquility that is mixed with terror.'

Nostalgia in Fragrance. Plenty of popular scents bank on that bittersweet pain of longing for the past, of calling up a memory that calls up your mortality.

Perfume and Self-Interest. These selling points are not disinterested, but self-interested.

Limitless Experience. A spritz can transport you through time and stir your feelings in a way that sometimes seems 'limitless.'

Read More. For additional insights, read more at the provided link.

Writing Improvement. If you do it for years, you get better at it, for sure.

Writing Challenges. The actual act of writing still presents a lot of the same challenges as it did when I started.

Clothing Allowance Impact. I had a magical thing called a clothing allowance: a not-ungenerous amount of money, replenished annually, that meant I could basically expense my clothes.

Cashmere Sweater Purchase. Most recently it was this cashmere sweater from Organic by John Patrick, a brand I love for its knitwear.

Value in Cost-per-Wear. It's not the most exciting splurge in the world, but it's one I know will perform exceptionally well on the cost-per-wear front, and that's the best kind of splurge of all.

Mindful Acquisition. I no longer possess the same bottomless desire to acquire apparel that I once did, but sometimes an item comes along that I know I have to have in order for my wardrobe to continue to make sense.

Shift in Spending Habits. These days, I buy a lot less, and I spend more carefully: on Nili Lotan-ish pants that are actually from Madewell, or Maria Cornejo coats sourced from the Real Real.

Quality Red. It’s not always easy to locate a truly good red, and this is a good red.

Subtle Chic. The tuxedo details here are quite subtly chic.

Layering Option. A cute poplin popover for wearing on its own now, and under a blazer later.

Busty Fit. I feel like this one from Universal Standard would be especially good for the busty among us—the brand always seems to do a good job at that.

Versatile Shirt. A crisp striped colorblock shirt that rings in at just a hair over $75.

Half-Tucked Style. An oversized option that would look good half-tucked—a styling trick that seems to have fallen out of favor, but which I still like.

Crisp Style Preference. I like the preppy crispness of this one from Everlane.

Cute Gingham. And finally, how delightfully cute is this gingham option?

Feminine Touch. The ruffle details here don’t overwhelm, but instead are a nice, feminine touch.

Cultural Reflections. The industry’s animation of the non-human says something about its in-animation of us.

Dog-centric Fashion. Dolce & Gabbana introduced Féfée, an 'elegant dog perfume,' while Vogue published a series of 'Dogue' covers featuring dogs in place of models.

Consumer Product Integration. A recent collaboration from skincare brand Dr. Loretta and clothing brand LESET features a monogrammed shirt designed to hold sunscreen, with 'SPF' embroidered instead of initials.

Shelf Identification. Is it shelf-identification that makes us believe inanimate storage units deserve serums of their very own?

New Beauty Products. In 2022, actress Courtney Cox launched Homecourt, a line of dish soaps, surface cleaners, and candles, described as 'beauty products for the home.'

Personification Concept. Lately I wonder if our objectification is proven by its inverse — the personification of objects.

Objectification Trends. The beauty industry encourages literal objectification with dehumanizing ideals: glass skin, glazed donut skin, Barbie arms, and Barbie labia.

Transition to Fall. As the weather cools, we're also looking forward to apple cider and wool sweaters.

Trend Observation. We asked 10 friends to share their fall uniforms and noticed a fun trend.

Personal Style. Ashley C. Ford mentioned her fall uniform includes a combination of Target items and personal accessories.

Long-Wearing Pieces. Somsack Sikhounmuong stated he will be wearing his outfit on the subway to work all season, highlighting that each piece has been worn over and over.

Silk over Poplin. Part two of the above is that silk shirts will eclipse poplin shirts.

Ralph Lauren Partnership. I partnered with Ralph Lauren last week on 2 back to school Instagram posts.

Postpartum Outfit Reflection. It inclined my own going for it, never mind the hurrah; this dress from Natori is the same color, but this silhouette feels more wearable.

Leopard Print Trend. Leopard print’s 'back.' A story on leopard print surfaces every season as a trend 'clawing back' for [insert every year here], but this go around, it feels less like a condition of clothing and more like an overwhelming forthcoming fall trend.

Aritzia's Basic Quality. Aritzia really does make the best basics. It’s a function of the breadth of the styles.

Postpartum Fashion. The tube seems like it can get me deeper into the upcoming seasons.

Chloe's Fall 2024 Collection. The reason our nightgown-as-dress era is coming in so hard and fast is totally because of Chloe's fall 2024 collection, which was met by pretty unanimous editorial (and consumer) praise.

Explore More Links. Read more.

New Book Started. I just started reading An Hone…

Edifying Pelosi Interview. I found this interview with Nancy Pelosi to be quite edifying. The piece is by New Yorker editor in chief David Remnick, who pulls few punches.

Jamie Lee Curtis Interview. A fun, quick Q&A with Jamie Lee Curtis.

Cate Blanchett's Best Roles. The 40 best Cate Blanchett performances—here she is in Bob Dylan drag in the brilliant 2007 Todd Haynes movie I'm Not There.

Rights to Move On. Still, you might be well within your rights to make this move.

Toxic Friendship. I don’t think there’s a truly gentle way to do this—bailing on a friendship is always going to seem at least a little like an aggressive act.

Podcast Guest. We had a guest on the podcast earlier this year who talked about energy v…

Racial Body Image. Light is feminine in the western mind and dark is masculine, and that binary logic tends to hold serious implications for Black and other ethnic women.

Maternal Mortality Issue. Considering all this, and considering that Black women in America are almost three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.

Cosmetic Growth Area. I predict foot beautification will be a major growth area for the cosmetic industry this year.

Fetishization of Feet. Americans are searching for foot fetish-related search terms nearly 1.5m times per month on average.

Historical Foot-Binding. The practice involved bandaging prepubescent girls’ feet tightly enough to stunt their growth and change their shape, so that they’d stay small forever.

Gendered Standards. To be a good girl or a good woman, then – in the gender essentialist sense – is to be as tiny as possible.

Foot Self-Image. At 12, I became self-conscious about my feet. They were size 10 – bigger than most girls’ – and my toes were dark and rough.

Body Image Culture. Beauty culture does! From the moment of our birth – literally – it trains us to find phantom flaws in our physical selves.

Fear of Judgment. During my second pregnancy, I was even afraid to get emergency treatment for preeclampsia because I wasn’t strong enough to DIY a pedicure.

Platform Sandals Choice. I can’t believe I was ever on the fence about going for these platform Birkenstocks.

Favorite New Frames. I wasn't sure they worked on me, but it's a few weeks later and they've become my new favorite pair.

Year-Round Sunglasses. Sunglasses are essential for me year-round—I’m quite light-sensitive—and they’re especially so during the summer.

Effective Mascara. Better Than Sex is such an annoying name for a mascara, but it *is* a really good mascara.

Silk Scrunchie Preference. I like these silk ones though, because they're a lot thinner than your typical scrunchie, and the silk means they're easy on your hair.

Daily Sunscreen Habit. This sunscreen is not too heavy and goes on sheer but lightly tinted.

Light Summer Scent. Bum Bum Cream absorbs in a flash and smells like a dream, which makes it suitable for summer.

Chub Rub Solution. This stuff combats the dreaded chub rub, and I am impossibly devoted to it.

Comfort and Style. It's astonishingly lightweight—especially for leather—and really stylish, and has just gotten better as it has aged.

Lightweight Weekender. This Clare V weekender has, at this point, more than paid for itself.

Food Connection. The reason we attend the market at all is because we yearn for good food.

In-Between Fashion. In-between dressing was practically invented at the farmer's market.

Typical Attire. The tableau of trends featured an overwhelming number of practical shoes.

Dressing Style. At worst, the market was an afterthought, so in the clothes, you get nothing intentional.

Market Experience. There’s a subtle bustle about open-air food shopping that makes the experience, no matter how it plays out, a little more delectable.

Wednesday Activity. Wednesday is when the market is biggest, when the most vendors come from their farms and sell the best of what they’ve got to what is probably their most sought-after clientele: the chefs of New York.

Styling Trends. The market's open on Saturday too, but the dressing cues are less direct.

Visit Recommendations. To understand what makes an outfit for the market unique to it, it’s best to pay three separate visits on: a Monday, a Wednesday, and a Friday.

Market Vibe. There's a tender quiet about the farmer's market if you can get there early enough on a summer morning.

Comfortable Footwear. One thing I have been very aware of: the shoes are always comfortable.

Faux Leather Evolution. Faux leather pants feel like one of those items, not unlike clogs, that used to be trendy but have evolved into classics.

Chinos Availability. A well-priced pair of chinos in a fun blue is available, with options in black and olive green too.

Wide Leg Trousers. Wide leg trousers like these and a wedge heel or a bit of a boot, and you’ve got legs for days.

Travel Pant Suggestion. This stretch crepe pair comes in a veritable ton of (mostly muted) shades, and seems like it would be an ideal travel pant.

Army-Style Pants. I dig the tapering on these cool army-style pants from Banana Republic where, btw, I’m finding a number of good things lately, for the first time in a while.

Chic Harlow Pant. Madewell’s eternally popular (and very chic) Harlow pant has an updated fit, which is intriguing.

Utility Pant Preference. Everlane’s Utility Pant comes in a few good iterations, but I like this straight leg one best.

Comfortable Pants Search. I’ve been on the lookout for pants that not only look becoming, but achieve a high level of comfortableness as well.

Jeans Realization. I came to accept that maybe the reason why I was having such a tough time finding flattering jeans is because jeans don’t actually flatter me anymore—or at least not right now.

Polka Dot Dress. This fairly splurgy polka dot number is nicely feminine but far from prissy.

Faux Wrap Dress. I don't love the belt they've styled this faux wrap dress with, but I do really like the fun print, and I think it drapes really nicely.

Cotton Twill Dress. An easy cotton twill shirt dress that goes for just a hair under $50.

Loud Tiered Dress. The print on this tiered dress is loud, it's true, but I think it's loud in a really good way, and I love the blue and brown color combo.

Pintucked Details. The pintucked details at the waist make this one standout.

Summery Frock. Just a fun and very summery frock from Farm Rio.

Smocked-Front Dress. A cool smocked-front dress with a very flattering silhouette.

Versatile Shirtdress. A snappy and versatile little shirtdress.

Retro Vibe. This has a slightly retroish vibe that I appreciate.

Underlining Fashion Choices. If it’s not going to be a sheer dress, it will be something that looks like (or is!) lingerie.

Sheer Clothing Trends. The best options for what to wear as the underpinnings. Black is the easiest option but lately I'm craving big white cotton underwear and a matching triangle bra.

Accessorizing Simplicity. To offset the lack of hardware on all the clothes we’re wearing is with a bag made entirely of chain.

Trend Acknowledgment. Are we returning to a C&C California/Michael Stars era style period?

Online Style Influence. I came across Michelle Phanh’s Substack last weekend. She made a post about what her friends wore at a beach town in Connecticut.

Clothing Exploration. Maybe I have no expectations this year, or maybe new markers of style are landing in a refreshing place or it could just be that I’m just poking my nose into relatively different corners.

Bittersweet Anticipation. The feeling is bittersweet. Right now, for example, I'm sitting at my desk with a cube of ice in my mouth and I can feel her elbow or knee or whatever joint it is pushing up against the top of my left-side ribcage.

Paradox of Motherhood. It is an irreconcilable paradox that cannot be solved, should not try to be solved. It just is.

Ukrainian Fashion Emergence. To my point about sheer, you know who else started making clothes is the Ukrainian jewelry brand that makes the silver shell comb.

Celebrity Encounter. Deb humorously shared an experience of unknowingly taking pictures near Sofia Coppola, showcasing the charm of celebrity sightings.

Movie Nostalgia. Deb described "Dirty Dancing" as the perfect summer movie, sharing her enduring affection for the film since the 1980s.

Ballet Experience. Deb expressed admiration for the ballet "Like Water for Chocolate," complimenting its execution and representation of performers.

Crunchy Snack Importance. Deb emphasized serving crunchy snacks like potato chips to keep guests satisfied if dinner isn't ready immediately.

Drink Station Setup. Deb advised making a drink station with glasses and beverages to prevent guests from needing to search for drinks.

Guest Welcoming Rules. Deb's first rule for welcoming guests is to "clear your coat rack and shoe area" for an easier experience.

Summer Menu Highlights. Deb mentioned a summer menu that includes a simple tomato salad, Green angel hair pasta, braised chickpeas with burrata, and salted peach caramel crisp.

Fantasy Dinner Guests. Deb suggested inviting Simone Biles and Suni Lee to her ideal dinner party due to their openness about pressure and their impressive achievements.

Italian Dinner Mode. Deb Perelman stated, "Every summer, I go into Italian mode," highlighting the seasonal shift in culinary focus.

Discover More. Deb reveals 10 surprises and delights, including her most popular recipe and a dreamy vacation spot for kids.

Greatest Sports Movies. The 50 greatest sports movies of all time.

Iconic Album Covers. The stories behind six iconic album cover shots, and how to recreate them.

Olympic Athletes' Bling. Olympic athletes and their bling.

Stylish Flexibility. The vibe of styling is to be flexible and creative with your wardrobe, embodying an effortless, comfortable summer style.

Satisfying Contrast. The look combines a straight-up towel skirt with a self-made silk top, making it quite satisfying to wear due to the contrast.

Concealing Blousiness. I recommend tucking your halter into something to conceal the blousiness — a little of this is good but you don’t want a puddle of silk down your front.

Versatility of Scarves. You can wear the most no-brainer, unimpressionable but still comfortable and good-looking separates south-of-neck.

Accessorizing Tips. Combine a few shiny metal pieces for an impact on the look without overdoing it.

Ambitious Halter Top. Last look now — a pretty ambitious halter top, which is probably the easiest to make: knot around neck, knot around waist.

Scarf as Top. Here we are at the penultimate look, where the silk scarf has been reimagined as a top, basically that cool vintage thing that Megan O’Neill wears to drop her son off at daycare.

Scarf as Cummerbund. This is one way to hold your waist, or just add a new dynamic to the middle of your look that isn’t as literal (or physically hard) as a belt.

Farmers Market Outfit. Charlie noted that this is an ideal farmers market outfit, capturing exactly what I’m trying to get at: style at ease.

Headband Utility. If you have silkier hair, it stays put with less effort this way but the styling principle works regardless of what kind of scarf you choose.

Trend Immortality Query. Can a trend become immortal?

Silk Scarf Usage. The silk scarf can serve as a versatile style accessory, being worn as a headband, cummerbund, or top.

Silk Scarf Dimensions. Dimensions of the scarf I used for this look are 28 by 28 inches.

Delusional Request. I should become a fashion correspondent for The Daily Show, and could she try and make that happen?

Mood Swings. The Lamictal was evening me out, but I was still capable of pretty abrupt mood swings.

New Office Feelings. This alone unhinged me, and I would feel myself get agitated or excited and try to calm myself down.

Office Move. We had moved offices, from the eighth floor of 4 Times Square to a roomer space on the sixth.

Work Commitment. I had been out of the office for so long that this notion was unthinkable to me.

Return to Work. The situation was shaky when I returned to New York, just as summer was beginning.

Read More Link. For further insights, visit the original source.

Fun Pouf. Such a graphic and fun little pouf.

Side Table Statement. A small side table like this can make a pretty big statement.

Pleasing Mug Design. There’s something so pleasing to me about the shape of this mug—it looks like you could warm your hands on it.

Guest Bathroom Towels. If I had a guest bathroom, and perhaps some day I will, I’d stock it with these Turkish tassel towels.

Indoor/Outdoor Pillow. An indoor/outdoor pillow that comes in a few good shades; I’m partial to this yellow, of course.

Chic Kitchen Towels. These chic kitchen towels come in such a delightful range of colors and stripe iterations.

Bath Mat Love. Also from Dusen Dusen: this cool bath mat, which is loitering in my shopping cart even as I type.

Striped Towels. Dusen Dusen can always be relied upon to offer a good striped towel or two, and I’m especially fond of these bright and happy ones.

Tonal Stripes Bowls. And finally, I dig the subtle tonal stripes on these bowls.

Botox in Politics. Cosmetic dermatology is on the rise in Washington, D.C.

Consumer Skepticism. I’d like to propose that Victoria Beckham is the scammer everyone thinks J. Lo is.

Victoria Beckham's Launch. Based on the launch of FeatherBrow from Victoria Beckham Beauty, I’d like to propose that Victoria Beckham is the scammer everyone thinks J. Lo is.

Beauty as Ethical Ideal. Has anyone articulated beauty as an ethical ideal better than comedian Alan Resnick?

Projecting Strength. Nonsurgical procedures like Botox can be a way of projecting strength and health as a leader.

Ugly Republicans Ad. A new commercial from Democratic group Won't PAC Down portrays MAGA Republicans who want to limit access to abortion, birth control, and IVF as conventionally ugly.

Women's Appearance Focus. I wonder if what’s happening right now goes beyond that — if the message it sends is that beauty should be an interest for all; that no woman, no matter her achievements, is exempt from the feminine duty to perform it.

Athlete Compensation Issues. What about when Olympic athletes aren’t paid for the time and effort they put into their craft?

Beauty vs. Performance. What happens when a female boxer’s performance in the ring isn’t matched by her performance of femininity?

Pressure on Female Athletes. Culturally, we’re at a point where optimization for athletics isn’t enough — where the pressure to optimize never ends.

Self-Optimization Debate. I argued against self-optimization on the basis that what we call self is often appearance, and what we call optimization is often an unrealistic and oppressive ideal of perfection that is not useful to the project of human flourishing.

Travel Preparation. I’m heading to Amsterdam in early September, so am obviously already thinking about what I’ll bring with me.

Aversion to Cowboy Boots. I find myself actually pretty tempted by these cowboy boots, which are nicely subdued and yes, even cool.

Denim Pants Comfort. These denim pants look like slouchy perfection, and I appreciate that they have belt loops.

Stylish Sneakers. I’m so totally sold on the excellent color combination on this sneaker.

Quality Striped Shirt. Just a really good striped button-down shirt to add to my menagerie of striped shirts.

Clean Denim Appeal. I just love how un-distressed the denim on this jacket is, and the starchy clean silhouette is appealing too.

Versatile Dress. I’d wear this cute bandana print dress on its own now, and with boots, tights, and a cardigan later.

Summer Sale Items. Shopping-wise, it’s a weird time of year: summer clothes are mostly on sale, and fall stuff has yet to really arrive.

Track Pants Choice. For the latter I’m considering this classic pair of Adidas track pants.

Lightweight Bomber. A really smart linen cotton cropped bomber that’s appealingly lightweight.

Practical Fashion Tip. Using a scarf can effectively cover flaws in garments, such as an open zipper on a skirt.

Layering Techniques. Using a scarf can conceal drawstrings or tight lines, making for a more polished outfit.

Reinvent the Skirt. Silk scarves can make an often-worn skirt feel different or new.

Transforming Outfits. A scarf can transform a look rather than just adding to it.

Scarf Size Impact. The size of the scarf is ultimately up to you; smaller scarves work well with cropped or untucked shirts.

Creative Solutions. Scarves can provide creative solutions for styling challenges such as needing a belt to cup a belly.

Color Addition. Using a scarf can add an element of color to an all-black or neutral ensemble.

Maternity Dressing Tip. For pregnant women, a scarf can help when wanting to wear an item that still looks okay but doesn’t actually fit.

Concealment Technique. Scarves can cup the bottom of your belly so whatever you’re wearing doesn’t flare out unintentionally.

Embellish Casual Looks. Adding a scarf can bring an element of whimsy to a simple, casual look.

Outfit Enhancement. A silk scarf can break up the monotony of a one-and-done dress or blouse it as a way to give it more character.

Silk Scarf Utility. A silk scarf can conceal a camel toe, FUPA, bad pant/skirt waist line, zippers that won’t close or which just should not be shown.

Referencing Other Styles. Jenny Walton published a series of 20 ways to style a silk scarf.

Versatile Accessory. A silk scarf can serve multiple functions in a wardrobe, from practical coverage to style enhancement.

Perfect Weight Jacket. This textured cotton lady jacket looks like it's the perfect weight for the transitional weather we'll be having soon.

Striped Duvet Cover. I've wanted this striped duvet cover forever, and just might go for it now.

Bright Cotton Coverlet. A bright and happy cotton coverlet.

Schoolhouse Lamp. Home brand Schoolhouse has marked down many tempting items, starting with this fun, poppy table lamp.

Everlane Discount Offer. Everlane's sale works as follows: spend over $200 and get 20% off your purchase, or spend over $300 and get 30%.

Universal Standard Sale. Over at Universal Standard, a ton of really good pieces are going for just $25, though available sizes are scant.

Classic Scoopneck Swimsuit. A scoopneck swimsuit that couldn't be a lot more classic.

Versatile Cashmere Cardigan. This cashmere patch pocket cardigan comes in a few arguably more versatile colors, but I like this forest-y green.

Sophisticated Barn Jacket. This barn jacket is made of crinkle nylon, which gives it a more sophisticated look.

Cool Gauze Popover. An easy and cool—both literally and figuratively—gauze popover.

Smocking Sundress. I really dig the smocking and adorable strawberry print on this sweet sundress.

Versatile Linen Skirt. A cute and deeply versatile linen slip skirt.

J.Crew Sale Item. At J. Crew, I'm thinking about going for this stretch linen blazer—it looks really smart in this off-white.

Shopping Strategy. I created a secret Pinterest board called ‘Should I Buy This?’ My rule is that an item has to live there for at least two weeks before I make a purchase.

Multipurpose T-shirt. Their trash tee is made with 100% post-industrial cotton waste, and the slightly longer sleeve and overall length are perfect.

eBay Purchases. I’m a big eBay-er, and in high school, my first eBay purchases were original film posters.

Unique Design Book. Actually useful coffee table book: How to Live With Objects is a cool take on a design book that features stories of people’s spaces that help you become an intentional collector of objects that speak to you.

Ice Cream Walks. Best way to end the day: Take an after-dinner ice cream walk. My husband, Dave, and I live on the border of Fishtown and Kensington, and there are seven ice cream shops within a 15-minute walk.

Philly Travel Recommendations. Here, Shannon shares 12 great things, including her Philly travel recs and what she’s packing for her Paris honeymoon.

Creative Curiosity. Shannon Maldonado stated, 'I’ve always been a very curious person, I Google the hell out of anything I find interesting.'

Weekend Plans. I’m going to the North Fork with some friends, and we’re thinking about watching Thelma about a 93-year-old trying to track down a con artist who scammed her.

Drugstore Favorite. I’ve used CoverGirl Lash Blast Fusion since I was a teenager. The brush is really easy to wrap around your eyelashes to get that curled look.

Community Connections. Five ways to make community connections.

TV Preview. A look at the best of what's on TV this month.

Olympics Notable Moments. And here are some notable moments from the Olympics so far.

Olympic Sketches. 17 classic SNL sketches about the Olympics.

Cheating in Older Women. Why more women over 50 are cheating.

Iconic Beauty in France. A look at France's iconic beauty Marianne, and the women who have portrayed her over the years.

Cultural Priorities. Culturally, we do not prioritize deep feeling, or a full experience of life. We prioritize status and aestheticizing our lives.

Reduced Sexual Function. One study... found Botox treatment was associated with both reduced emotional recognition and reduced sexual function.

Existential Consequences. With industrialized beauty, we sort of have to do the cost-benefit analysis of economic status vs. existential consequences.

Aesthetic vs Emotional. Neurotoxins like Botox are often marketed as a sort of mental health measure... yet so little of the critique against Botox is focused on the fact that it’s also perpetuating a particular standard of beauty.

Beauty Culture Focus. The communication piece does not apply to the average person’s reason for wanting or getting Botox. It’s a purely aesthetic pursuit.

Microexpressions Role. Microexpressions and mirroring are forms of unconscious, nonverbal communication... helping us feel for others, and understand what other people are feeling.

Impact on Emotions. Neuromodulators like Botox... change the way we connect and communicate with others — even reducing our capacity to feel empathy.

Botox and Romantic Connection. There are a lot of statistics that show loneliness is on the rise, that people are feeling very disconnected from each other.

Further Reading. Read more about the experience at the provided link.

Facility Description. The whole place looked like a slightly sterile but decent bed and breakfast, only with a nurse's station.

Room Impressions. The unit I was on was quite nice. A social worker greeted me and showed me my room—it was big, with a TV and DVD player.

Historic Location. It was a beautiful old hospital with a history—Fitzgerald finished Tender is the Night in Baltimore, while Zelda convalesced there.

Travel Experience. The drive to Baltimore went by fast—when you're in no hurry to get to your destination, the trip always goes quickly.

Finding Love Post-Divorce. I found someone lovely. Thank you so much for providing a safe space to talk about this stuff.

Music and Memories. The first record I ever bought was Andy Gibb’s 'Love Is Thicker than Water'. It cost 95 cents, and I was nine.

Catherine Newman's Influence. What a relief it is to hear 'this part of parenting is my favorite' from anyone with kids older than me. It helps me unclench.

Readers' Engagement. Here are the three top links Big Salad readers clicked on this month: Joanna's best beauty buy of the year, Catherine Newman’s favorite drinking glasses in the world, and the work pants so comfortable that Chanel Miller wears them in every color.

Discount Offer. We’re also offering a 20% off discount on subscriptions this week.

Chanel Miller Favorites. Chanel Miller told us about her favorite pants of all time, hilarious things kids say, and the life advice Oprah gave her directly.

Catherine Newman Joys. Catherine Newman revealed 12 things for a joyful life, including icy swims and Paul Rudd.

Scentbird CEO. Scentbird CEO noted, 'I'd be surprised if my investors knew,' and that they 'know my character.'

Consumer Trends Report. The podcast referenced 'Consumer Trends: 2024 Mid-Year Report' from The New Consumer.

Lily Allen's Content. Lily Allen launched an OnlyFans page to sell feet pictures.

Lil Mama's Lipgloss. Lil Mama debuted her first-ever lipgloss line called 'It's Poppin'.

Demi Lovato's Song. Demi Lovato released a (very catchy) song for haircare brand OGX.

Podcast Collaboration. The Review of Mess is a podcast collaboration between The Review of Beauty (by Jessica DeFino) and I <3 Mess (a fashion newsletter from Emily Kirkpatrick).

Casually Polished Look. Casually polished—what does dressing professionally even mean these days?

Dressing for Meetings. I guess I just like looking a little more crisp for a meeting.

Collaborative Work Environment. I don’t get lonely even though I’m writing a lot because Goop is a multi-media business. It’s such a collaborative job—so many brainstorms and projects.

Working from Home. When I get home from drop off, I get to work. If I have to go into the city for an in-person meeting, I’ll usually schedule it in the morning so I can go right from drop off.

Mindful Living Choices. I switched back to regular milk like 2 months ago mostly because I don’t think inflammation is necessarily a real threat for me with dairy.

Coffee Preference. From both places, I’ll get a cappuccino and they both actually give me a cappuccino. I really hate it when other places ask if I want it big or small.

Summer Dressing Preference. I love dressing for summer—I love how the sun feels on my skin. The more of my body exposed, the better.

Monty's Daycare Drop-off. The look works particularly because the way Monty’s daycare is set up is that I have to carry a stroller down to the basement and my stroller is a behemoth Bugaboo.

Breakfast Shake. I have a shake of avocado, banana, peanut butter and coconut water made for Monty [my 11-month old]. Lagos loves it too.

Morning Routine Juice. Every day the thing that gets me going is I drink 2 glasses of this green juice that I juice the night before, it’s with celery, kale, spinach, cucumber, parsley, romaine lettuce and 3 green apples.

Un-Distressed Jeans. I really dig that these straight jeans are so delightfully un-distressed.

Perfect Skirt. It&#8217;s got simple lines, a bit of stretch, trouser styling, and the ability to pair with just about any top.

Unique Shirt. A henley tee that manages to be tomboyish and sexy at the same time.

Stylish Cardigan. This knit cardigan resembles far pricier ones from the French brand Ba&amp;sh.

Good Details. So many good details on this sweet embroidered shirt&#8212;I don&#8217;t even mind the puffy sleeves because the puffiness does not originate at the shoulder.

Versatile Dress. A subtly glamorous watercolor print dress that&#8217;ll be as good in the fall as it will be right now.

Fashion Recommendation. These knotted gold sandals are about as fabulous as flats get.

Color Appreciation. I&#8217;m really beginning to appreciate the color green.

Tour Update. I am joining my husband Paul for the final leg of his tour today.

Gentle Parenting Reminder. As a perfectionist, I beat myself up for EVERYTHING.

Substack Favorites. I love newsletters by Emily Sundberg, Hunter Harris, Adam Roberts, and others.

Favorite Jewelry Brand. Catbird, always and forever.

Delicious Pre-Dinner Snack. A tray with Hudson Valley Camembert and figs and crackers and cornichons was delicious.

Recommended Books. Reading great books — like Samantha Irby’s comedy or Kate Baer’s poetry — make me feel simultaneously calm and energized.

Inspiration from Nature. I take a walk or bike ride or just generally head out into the world. 'Touch grass,' as TikTokers would say.

Weekly Discount Offered. We’re also offering a 20% off discount this week.

500 Questions Received. We received more than 500 questions.

Documentary Trailer. The trailer for this Elizabeth Taylor doc looks pr&#8230;

Memoir Update. I&#8217;ll definitely be sharing more of my memoir on Thursday, though, so don&#8217;t not check in.

Potential Posting Delay. Posts might be light (it&#8217;s not the easiest thing to work backstage or on a bus full of teenagers).

Tour Participation. I&#8217;m joining my husband Paul on the tail end of his tour next week.

Link to Full Story. Read more

Isolation Feelings. This left me feeling even more unbound.

Family Therapy Resistance. I had infuriated all of them so many times... that they refused to see me until I agreed to family therapy.

Behavioral Impact. These episodes went a long way toward convincing me I wasn't thinking clearly anymore.

Humiliating Episodes. My own recognition came after having a temper tantrum in front of Conde Nast’s CEO (an event so awful and humiliating I can’t further recount it here).

L.L. Bean Tote. I can’t not include L.L. Bean’s Boat and Tote, because it’s timeless and sturdy, and comes in a variety of sizes and colors.

Time for a Tote. A fun yellow striped tote, because who doesn’t need one of those?

Baggu Duck Bag. Baggu’s Duck Bag is very well-priced, well-made, and roomy as can be. It also comes in several good prints.

Elegant Leather Trim. This isn’t cheap, but it’s so damned elegant. I also love how leather trim looks on a canvas bag.

Under $80 Option. A handsome under $80 option from Quince that comes in a few other good shades.

Filson Tote. This classic Filson tote is just cool as hell. It’s marketed to men, but honestly who cares?

Poppy Orange Tote. A poppy orange option that’s plenty roomy, from Clare V.

Accessory Trends. Accessories, such as the Nannacay bag, are trending but need to be chosen wisely in terms of future resale value.

Optimizing Shopping. Using buyback programs like Croissant has the potential to make consumers smarter and more conscious shoppers.

Retail Trends. Certain brands like Khaite, Toteme, and Miu Miu maintain steady buybacks, reflecting ongoing market interest.

Style Risks. The potential for buyback could encourage shoppers to take more fashion risks, particularly if they feel they can recover some of their investment.

Retail Price vs. Buyback. The buyback price of $214 for a $690 item might not be as appealing as selling it on another platform for $500.

Impacted Purchase Decisions. The assurance of a buyback could influence consumers' willingness to purchase items they may not want otherwise.

Buyback Rates. A $2,900 Loewe jacket will yield more than 50% back, while a Dries van Noten halter top commands less than 30% despite being a luxury item.

Fashion and Frustration. The author expresses frustration in winter due to practical limitations that restrict their style choices, unlike summer where 'any pair of shoes is fair game.'

Shopping Experience. Croissant is an extension that follows users through commerce websites and calculates buyback prices for items they like.

Gauze Shirtdress Versatility. A gauze shirtdress that would work equally well off the beach.

Textured Cotton Appeal. Such a pretty, cool-looking textured cotton option.

Fun Tassels. I do enjoy the fun tassels here, and this one comes in a few other good shades.

Versatile Sarong. A sarong is always a snappy (and versatile) choice.

Affordable Gauze Caftan. This gauze and lace caftan has such good details, and is currently marked down to just under $50.

Oversized Shirt Choice. An easy oversized shirt that I also like in this pink.

Terry Option Appeal. Here's a cute and pricey terry option that I kind of love for its slightly retroish vibe.

Floral Sundress Highlight. This block print floral sundress couldn't be a lot prettier, and—because I am not a big fan of tiers—I like that this only has one.

Question Submissions. You can submit questions using this short form, if you&#8217;d like &#8212;&nbsp;all topics welcome, including love, parenting, friendships, anxiety, food, travel, NYC, books, movies, style, Paul Mescal&#8217;s short shorts, whatever!

Community Engagement. I&#8217;m eager to talk about all things big and small with this wonderful group, and to hear your thoughts, too.

Upcoming AMA. This week, we&#8217;re doing another Ask Me Anything!

Cheap Glasses Solution. And here’s a super-cheapo bonus resource for those who misplace their glasses constantly: Amazon, where this three-pack goes for a mere $16.

Affordable Stylish Frames. Gabriel & Simone is a Brooklyn-based brand that churns out frames that look lots pricier than they are, like this rounded cat-eye, which rings in under $50.

Well-Priced Classic Frames. Look Optic has a comparatively small number of frames on offer, but they’re pretty classically appealing and well-priced: I like this pair because the lenses are ever so slightly tinted, which can be flattering to aging eyes.

Popular Daily Frames. The pair I wear most every day—and which you guys routinely ask me about—are these, from Warby Parker.

Age-Positive Brand. I really like Caddis; the brand is very age-positive, and their frames—like these—are the just-right amount of cool.

Mascara Debate. Glamour questioned if mascara was out for 2024, highlighting ongoing debates in beauty trends.

Social Justice Language. Marketing in the beauty industry often promises health, wellness, care, empowerment, autonomy, and community while misaligning with these values.

LGBTQ+ Funding Concern. Amazon has a long history of funding anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion legislation.

Growth of Cosmetic Category. Amazon's cosmetic category is forecasted to grow 26% YoY in 2024, outpacing Amazon's overall growth of 19.9%.

Amazon's Beauty Strategy. Amazon is on track to be the nation’s top beauty retailer by 2025 due to the onboarding of prestige brands and an accessible affiliate program.

Beauty Sales Growth. The percentage of beauty sales increased by 16% during Prime Day 2024, with makeup growing by 30% and skincare by 14%.

Environmental Impact. Prime Day likely accounted for more than 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Worker Injuries. Estimated 45% of Amazon warehouse workers were injured during Prime Day.

Sales Surge. Amazon Prime Day 2024 netted $14.2 billion in sales.

Further Reading. For more depth on this topic, refer to the original article.

Feeling icky. I’m sick of feeling icky.

Outsourcing Friendship. It seemed for awhile she’d outsourced the friendship to her husband, who made excuses and now he’s disappeared in a puff too.

Awkward Gatherings. Our last get together was awkward and I felt like an obligation.

Emotional Impact. I’m hurt, confused and questioning our whole friendship.

Friendship Changes. My closest friend of over a decade has been different since Covid and has gradually faded out despite my best efforts.

Bummer News. This really bummed me out…

Glynnis MacNicol Appearance. We've got author Glynnis MacNicol on Everything is Fine this week and she's a pip, so please do tune in.

Best TV Shows. The 20 best TV shows of the year so far.

Donald Sutherland Tribute. RIP to the endlessly cool (and hot!) Donald Sutherland.

Linen Shirt Dress. A very spiff linen shirt dress with just a hint of sleeve, which I appreciate.

Caftan Vibe. This has a great, caftan-y vibe.

Chic Dress Description. I really dig a red and black print, and it looks so stellar on this chic dress, which also comes in a good grass green.

Style Adaptation. I don't usually show a lot of sleeveless stuff, but it has been too stinking hot out to care about exposing one's upper arms.

Polka Dot Fashion. A polka dot maxi that doesn't look the least bit costume-y, as polka dots sometimes can.

Floral Print Comparison. A floral print from Mango that for a moment I mistook for a Liberty print—it's that good.

Strawberry Print Love. Another sundress that I had to include because I love the strawberry print.

Evening Wear Suggestion. I also think this sundress would look great in the evening when it cools off, with a bright cotton cardigan.

Flattering Tee Dress. The cutest and most flattering tee dress I have ever seen.

Puffy Sleeves Appeal. This pretty cotton voile number has another feature I don't usually go for—puffy sleeves—but I think they really work here.

Affordable Fashion. A bright cotton ruffle collar dress that rings in at just under $40, a price I might find too good to ignore.

Maxi Dress Preference. I also typically don't go for maxi dresses, but I think this one is just so flowy and pretty.

Chic Low Heels. The twist straps on these low heels are chic as can be.

Black Clothing Trend. I know I was just extolling the benefits of wearing all black in the summer.

Versatile Gauze Top. A lightweight gauze top for throwing on with chinos, or the pants above.

Dress Up/Dress Down Potential. Here’s another good dress, one with excellent dress it up/dress it down potential.

Current Discount. A snappy linen short sleeve button-down that’s currently 50% off.

Comfortable Crepe Pants. Crepe pants that just look so easy and comfortable.

Cute Tiered Skirt. Here’s a cute tiered gauze skirt, for those who go for tiered things.

Versatile Oxford Shirt. Just a solid oxford shirt that looks pricier than it is.

Perfect Linen Shirt Dress. A pretty perfect linen shirt dress.

Elegant Stripes. And I really dig this elegant linen striped one as well.

Subtle Check Print. A cool black caftan, with a subtle tonal check print.

Ikat Print. A cool and graphic ikat print.

Bold Stripes. Bold blue stripes make a very summery statement.

Classic Caftan. And finally, here's a pretty classic one from Emerson Fry.

Block Print. Here's what I found, starting with this cute block print number.

New Venture. While composing this post, I decided that starting a caftan brand for us ladies of a certain age is what I should do with the next chapter of my life.

Beach-to-Street Caftan. This is maybe the perfect beach-to-street caftan.

Caftan Misconceptions. I think caftans get a bad rap; nothing feels better to wear when it's stinking hot out, and the right one can be pretty glamorous.

Geometric Print. I think this geometric print is impossibly chic, and right now it's marked down from very splurgy to just kind of splurgy.

Additional Reading. Read more

Question Invitation. Please do send me your best questions in the comments. I&#8217;ll answer most anything.

Going Gray. How to go gray?

Fun Live Episode. It’s our live NYC episode on Everything is Fine this week and it’s a ton of fun, so please do tune in.

Amusing Movie. This movie looks quite amusing.

Worthwhile Movie. This movie looks worthwhile.

Stressful Restaurant Shows. Here are the best restaurant shows, ranked by stressfulness.

Stocking Up on Tees. I like to swing by the Nordstrom Rack site and stock up on these James Perse tees, which they always have in stock for much less cash than retail.

Surprising Chic Pieces. I’m often pleased and surprised at the chic pieces I find there, like this A-line twill skirt.

Ruching at Sleeves. The ruching at the sleeves of this dress makes it seem kind of Maria Cornejo-ish.

Perfect Summer Neutral. The light brown is a rather perfect summer neutral, especially with the white soles.

Elegant Flowy Dress. This flowy dress is not my typical thing, but I think it’s just so elegant, and the chain print is aces.

Urgent Sunglasses Purchase. I tried these on and paid for them before I really had a chance to register whether they looked good or not.

More Affordable Option. Here’s a more straightforward option that’s much cheaper.

Blue Striped Button-down. I dig the variegated stripes on this one.

Unexpected Purple Hue. If you cover up the bad gray leggings with your hand, you can see it’s actually a pretty cool shirt, and the purple hue is nicely unexpected.

Breezy Maxi Dress. A maxi dress from Banana Republic that looks like the personification of breeziness.

Fashionable Dress Insight. I found this dress on the Cos website marked way down—I think it’s probably from their most recent fall/winter collection—and the shape is just so good.

Deluxe Cotton-Silk Caftan. I don't know how I'm not supposed to purchase this extremely deluxe-looking cotton-silk blend caftan.

Skirt Coveting. I’m very much coveting this silk satin skirt from 6397.

Color Combination Insight. You can see in this picture how much color really pops when combined with a zebra print.

Silk Shirt Dress. This silk shirt dress is exactly what I’m talking about.

Silhouette Recommendation. My rule with all animal prints is to look for reasonable straightforward silhouettes; otherwise things can skew too floofy, and even slightly tacky.

Zebra Print Preference. My favorite animal print is a bold zebra, which always looks so good with a summery pop of color.

Preferred Sunscreen. I apply and frequently reapply Kosas' lightly tinted Dream Beam—it also stands in for foundation this time of year.

Holiday Announcement. I'm taking off for the holiday starting tomorrow, and will be back here on Monday the 7th.

Stylish Cover-Up. And finally, a crisp—and kind of sexy—cover-up.

Cost-Effective Hat. Here’s another cute hat that costs about half as much as the one above.

Fun Sun Hat. Such a fun sun hat, in an excellent yellow.

Effective Water Shoes. These unstylish-but-effective water shoes are a must for stepping on the rocky, slimy ocean floor.

Lightweight Beach Footwear. I like these synthetic Birkenstocks for wearing to the beach: they’re lightweight, waterproof, and cost about half as much as traditional Birkenstocks.

Personalizable Water Bottle. A water bottle that 'll keep your cold drinks nicely cold, and which is personalizable.

Cost-Effective Towels. I prefer happy-but-inexpensive choices like these beach towels that get trashed so fast.

Beach Bag Choices. L.L. Bean's Boat and Tote, which comes in many sizes and strap colors, is a pretty peerless choice.

Deep Neckline Popover. I like the deep neckline on this gauze popover.

Textured Shirt. A textured shirt for throwing on with jeans—or shorts, if you’re brave.

Embroidered Beach Top. This linen embroidered top would be excellent for the beach and beyond.

Sheer Printed Layer. A sheer printed top that I’d layer over a silk cami.

Oversized Striped Shirt. A good striped shirt that’s nicely oversized.

Easy Popover. Just a really easy popover for wearing whenever.

Smocked Neckline Top. I like the smocked neckline on this crisp top.

Airy Placket Top. An airy, roomy placket top that comes in a few good shades.

Adorable Swing Top. my friend Ann bought it and was wearing it the other day when we got together, and it is really just so adorable IRL.

Versatile Batwing Top. A batwing top that’d work as well in the fall as it does now.

Bold Stripes Appeal. Bold stripes are always a win.

L.L. Bean Hanging Bag. A handy hanging bag from L.L. Bean with zillions of compartments.

Intriguing Drawstring Bag. This drawstring bag really intrigues me—unfurl it and it’s like a portable vanity for your hotel room.

Tortoise Color Combo. I like the tortoise color combination here.

Baggu Alternative. This one from Baggu comes in a pretty close second in the cuteness department.

Cute Longchamp Bag. This Longchamp bag is just the cutest.

Personalizable Options. Here are two cute block print options that are also personalizable.

Clear Bag Recommendation. This clear bag fits all those specs, and comes in three sizes and multiple colors.

Cosmetic Bag Criteria. I need to have a great cosmetic bag—one big and sturdy enough for all my stuff—but not too big—and reasonably attractive.

Travel Size Products. I am obsessed with finding all the best travel size beauty products, the perfect carry-on, the ideal travel shoes.

Elegant Toile Option. This toile option is both roomy and elegant.

Bright Storage Baskets. A trio of happy, bright storage baskets—I'm especially enamored of the yellow and black one.

Stylish Feeding Stand. This Lucite feeding stand—with glass bowls—is maybe the most stylish way to feed a pet I’ve ever seen.

Incense Holder. Just a really neato incense holder.

Stylish Beach Chair. The cutest beach chair maybe ever. It comes in a few other color combinations.

Rug Collection. My favorite purveyor of rugs, Aelfie, went on sabbatical a while back, which made me sad.

Vintage Mugs. These vintage mugs—from a long-gone brand called Franci Villa Vanilla—are so damned cute.

Chic Flatware. This very chic flatware set is from the same collaboration.

Napkin Set. This mismatched napkin set, which is so far up my alley, is from a collaboration between West Elm and chef Marcus Samuelsson.

Quilt Design. I do love the block print on this one.

Geometric Throw. A bright and happy geometric-patterned throw.

Personal Reflection. I've never approached it here—something about putting the experience down in writing, and making that public, has felt deeply intimidating.

Read More.

Ignoring Instincts. Your instincts will be screaming at the top of their lungs—on some gut-check level, you know things are way off—but you will become skilled at ignoring them.

Frantic Confidence. You move with a certain frenzied force through the world, with a frantic confidence that—despite ever-mounting evidence to the contrary—everything is pretty much good.

Self-Recognition. You truly are the last to know when losing your mind.

Mental Illness Stigma. There is too much shame around the topic of mental illness, and I’d like to play some (very) small part in making that not be the case anymore.

Possible Sequel. There will apparently maybe be a Devil Wears Prada sequel.

Notable Obits. I love the New York Times obits, because I'm always learning about notable women I'd never heard of before—in this case, music industry vet Mary Martin.

Tribute to Duvall. RIP Shelly Duvall, who was always a favorite of mine; here's a tribute to her quirky talents.

Floral Print. Of course I had to include a Liberty floral print.

Nice Twist Detail. The twist detail at the bust here is really nice; this one also comes in several other good shades.

Creative Draping. I like the polka dot print and creative draping on this one.

Flattering Suit. I actually just ordered this one—it’s by Miraclesuit, and looks like it’ll be flattering.

Sporty Choice. A ribbed and striped choice that comes off pleasingly sporty.

Tummy Control. Many of the suits here have some degree of tummy control going on.

Body Variations. Our bodies are all shaped differently, with various bits we’d prefer to keep camouflaged.

Dreadful Shopping. I don’t think there’s anything as dreadful to shop for as swimsuits.

Streamlined Swim Dress. This swim dress has such a good, streamlined silhouette.

Deep Neckline. I like the deep neckline here—it’s sexy without revealing too much at all.

Abstract Floral Print. Here’s a more abstract floral print that I’m also a fan of.

Lightweight Cargo Pants. Lightweight jersey cargo pants—they're back, people, if you dare—that I think would be perfect for travel.

Shirt Dress Restock. I recently bought this poplin shirt dress—which I've already owned and loved in blue. It was sold out in my size in the black for a while, but they restocked and I was able to snag it.

Frank & Eileen Sale. There is a big sale going on at Frank & Eileen in celebration of the brand’s 15th anniversary, and all sorts of items that they never put on sale are currently marked down.

Utility Pants. These utility pants have the just-right amount of stretch without looking like they have stretch, which is the goal.

Clare V Bags. I've owned this Clare V bag in black for a few years now, and then I was gifted the green version on my birthday back in March.

Pretty Eyelet Caftan. Such a pretty eyelet caftan; it’s a bit sheer, but comes with cotton voile slip.

Spill-Proof Containers. After much trial and error, I have determined that these silicone containers are the best for transporting products that don’t come in a mini size.

Effective Mini Sunscreen. I love a travel-sized beauty product, especially when it's my favorite, lightly tinted sunscreen, which provides just enough coverage to make it a nice alternative to foundation when it's hot out.

Lightweight Travel Suitcase. As for suitcases, I’m loyal to Away's Bigger Carry On—it fits a lot and doesn't weigh much.

Platform Sandals Satisfaction. I can't believe it took me so long to go for these platform Birkenstocks, because now that I have them I wear them so constantly it's a little gross.

New Favorite Caftan. I purchased this amazing Rodebejer caftan on the Real Real a couple of weeks ago, and it is fast becoming a new favorite.

Travel Packing Tips. I will never again travel without Tide Sink Packs, which take up very little room and allow you to pack less.

Portable Fan Importance. When I was in Spain last summer it was dreadfully hot, and I bought a fan like this one from a tourist kiosk, and it really makes a difference.

Fashion Shows Detest. Fashion shows and the whole fashion people scene threw me off kilter under the best of circumstances.

Negative Milan Experience. I flew to Milan, knowing somewhere in my gut that that was a horrible idea...this was emphatically not the best of circumstances.

Increased Attention. Then Lucky got hotter, and its power to generate sales could no longer be ignored, and the Italians, at least, were paying attention.

Reluctant European Trip. I never wanted to go to Europe for the fashion shows, and because Italian—and especially French—advertisers hated Lucky at first, there was no real pressure for me to attend at the beginning.

Link to Full Story.

Marimekko Prints Database. This online database of Marimekko prints is your rabbit hole of the day; you're welcome.

Podcast Recommendation. Tune in to my chat with Jenn on Everything is Fine this week; it's…

Books on Appalachia. Here are 15 books about Appalachia that aren't Hillbilly Elegy.

Trump's 2025 Plan. Inside Trump's plan for 2025: this is a chilling but important read.

Sense of Responsibility. The author expresses awe every time they leave a delivery, acknowledging the 'extra person, a life, that did not exist outside of the womb.'

Work-Life Balance. The author shares that being an obstetrician is tiring and physically demanding, requiring work on nights and weekends.

Adapting During COVID. During Covid, the author was the only person who wore regular clothes to work, stating 'it was important to me to show up for work feeling like a human being.'

Clothing and Patient Rapport. The author notes that patients appreciate her interest in clothing, which creates a nice rapport.

Dressing for Work. The author believes work is the easiest occasion to dress for, noting 'I feel like I have a uniform down to a science.'

Fashion vs Medicine. The author feels that her job as a doctor allows her to use fashion as a form of escape and pleasure.

Importance of Exercise. The author emphasizes that 'being in good physical shape makes a difference when you have a physically demanding job, plus kids, plus aging, plus menopause.'

Finding Good Deals. The author highlights finding 'great vintage that is inexpensive too, and it's so well made, and doesn’t go out of style.'

Designers of Choice. The authors tend to start their vintage searches with Jil Sander, Phoebe Philo, and The Row, appreciating the quality and style of their designs.

Second-Hand Shopping. The author mentions only shopping second-hand and praises the vintage pieces available on sites like The Real Real.

Fashion in Medicine. Dr. Isabel Blumberg, a prominent obstetrician, is also recognized for her impressive vintage fashion choices.

Impact of Colleagues. Good colleagues and nurses play a significant role in making the job enjoyable, describing it as 'an orchestra that makes the whole process run smoothly.'

Essence of a Trend. Some people get a genuine thrill from observing, questioning, interpreting, and trying to method act a trend into their wardrobes to see if there is cohesion.

Mixed Salad Recipe. The big hit salad of the season has been little gems with pistachio, toasted fennel seeds, cooked corn, peeled off the cob, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and occasionally pitted green olives or hearts of palm.

Celebrity Influence. The style has been awarded the title of “it-girl shoe” of the season in large part thanks to the subjects of most of these videos, chronicling how Bella Hadid or Hailey Bieber or Kaia Gerber or Kendall Jenner wear theirs.

Fashion Sneakers Popularity. The ones that go most viral can often trace their way back to a silhouette that is more affordable, which lowers the stakes of taking the risk.

Jelly Flats Trend. No doubt the greatest explosion we will face this summer will be thanks to the jelly glove-style flats that appeared on The Row's Spring 2024 runway.

Collaboration Launch. Staud and Keds launched a collaboration on Friday of the classic lace up sneakers.

Capri Pants Reminder. I realized at the end of last week that the most important look never made it into capri pants.

Incredible Rice. I got a jar of award-winning white rice and will report back on how it tastes.

Brand Affinity. Some of the brands I like working with most include Patricia Voto’s One/of. Everything she creates is one of a kind and made to order using these gorgeous dead stock luxury fabrics.

Fashion Event Attire. It’s nice to wear something like this in a setting where 'game sees game' and you know that the people around you will appreciate what you’re wearing.

Shopping Full Price. The only things I will buy full-price are everyday sweaters or the Aritzia-type stuff.

Emphasis on Comfort. Comfort has become so much more important to me.

Wardrobe Rebuild. I think I’ve been rebuilding my wardrobe over the course of the last year.

Style Experimentation. It’s trial and error — you have to try on so much stuff! More than you think is enough.

Client Engagement. When a client comes to me and says, 'I’d have never thought to put this together and I’ve never felt this beautiful,' is when I feel most like what I’m doing is worth it.

Essential Basics. I learned about how good the basics from Aritzia are during my Vogue days because I was the one in charge of pulling the styling basics for editorial shoots.

Shopping Strategy. I do an Aritzia haul every two months, and I work from home most days, so it’s what I wear most often.

Weekend Look. It’s an ideal weekend look because it’s not precious but you don’t look like a slob — it still reflects respect, a sense of style.

Style Evolution. I think how I dress has changed a lot since my magazine days because comfort has become so much more important to me.

Career Transition. The biggest thing with my career transition from editor to stylist is that in editorial, you kind of dress to be part of the editorial, you’re in center-of-attention clothes.

Vulnerability of Styling. There’s such a vulnerability about it too — when you’re not working with runway figures, the psychological journey of getting a client to feel absolutely amazing is more complicated.

Mood Reflected in Outfit. The emotional impulse tied to clothing choices often stems from those personality pieces designed to evoke feelings.

Dramatic Clothing. The jacket's cape is dramatic and practical due to its easy wear design and ability to hold shape well.

Accessorial Impact. Wearing gold, silver, or crystal accessories can serve the same function as bright colors and precious fabrics for a simpler look.

Versatility of Shorts. The shape of the Bermuda shorts is beneficial due to their versatility with different styles, from casual to dressed up.

Pairing Basics. Starting with basic pieces allows for a more emotionally-measured expression in outfit creation.

Spring Outfit Template. An ideal spring outfit template consists of a mini dress, lightweight jacket, zip-and-fly-free pants, and flat shoes.

Jacket Versatility. The cape top is versatile to wear both casually and for more formal occasions with its dramatic yet practical design.

Dress as Statement. It’s a one-and-done, style-choice-made-for-you category of garment, but if the dress is simple enough it can be styled with personality quirks.

Emotional Measurement. The intensity is level that the best stuff is born from a stable internal place, which often translates into longevity.

Spring Basics Post. Tuesday's post broke down 5 solid spring basics and offered unconventional ways to wear them.

Versatile Uniform Template. The weather takes on like 5 different identities over the course of a day this time of year.

Versatile Outfit Components. The template is highly versatile, which means you can most likely collage it together using only the contents of your existing wardrobe.

North American Style Shift. Half way through making that post, I realized I was sitting on what's become a 5th season uniform template, or a good way to get out of the jeans and button down rut.

Keds Collaboration. It appears that Staud's Keds collab, which was highlighted in the last letter of rec is avail on the Keds site at more competitive pricing.

Layering for Seasonal Changes. The layers really serve you as it might start cold and wet but end hot and bright.

Jacket Length Trend. The most popular jacket length of the season hits right below the top of the thigh, which also makes it the most flattering length.

Comfortable Maternity Jeans. These jeans from the Scandinavian brand Ilouity have no stretch in the denim, but are so nice and roomy on the waist.

Prada Skirt Availability. This Prada skirt, avail on Re-see, is kind of like the orange one with a tail that I keep wearing, but more reasonable (chiefly because it does not have a tail).

Structured Look with Crochet Pants. But if you’re wearing crochet pants, take the opposite approach with a streamlined, structured jacket, which I’m wearing as a top.

Crochet Top Pairing. If your crochet top was more like a button down, or featured a collar or whatever, I’d recommend a pair of tailored dark trousers.

Accessorize for Casual Looks. It also gives you more leeway to play around with your 'going out for lunch, does anyone want anything?' accessories.

Mixing Casual and Formal. It makes for a great contrast with more formal clothes because its casual and pairs well with heavier fabrics (like suede or wool) for the same reason.

Work Appropriate Looks. For a more relaxed environment, or at least one where there is a premium placed on how you get dressed, I recommend a longer dress with elastic waist flare pants, with a blazer to drill into the work element of it all and a shell necklace.

Beachy Crochet Expressions. A mini skirt is probably the most beachy expression of crochet so styling it with something heavy — in this instance a wool jacket (but could be a flannel shirt, or crew neck sweater) is the most straightforward way to offset the vibe.

Summer Crochet Styles. One thing that had not occurred to me about crochet is that it’s kind of like the summer equivalent of a winter knit (looser weave): dependable, versatile, comfortable, safe.

Weekend Crochet Style. Not for work! This is footage from right before I took my kids to the park on a recent 68-degree day.

Crochet Versatility. Crochet, a trend reaching its own kind of fever pitch for the upcoming summer season, is a good example of this. Without any expectation to live up to from the way, the options on tap feel vast and broad.

Runway vs Commercial Trends. Runway trends and commercial trends carry different characteristics — often it’s more difficult to extract a runway trend from its birthplace (the runway) because of the personality it develops on there.

Casual Footwear Options. Closed back shoes (ballet flats or loafers) are recommended for a casual vibe when wearing a crochet mini skirt.

Summer Coat Staple. I’m gunning hard for the summer trench coat as staple.

Emerging Brands. A few second-hand things in my carts, I’d be just as happy to see go to you.

Aprons as Fashion. I can’t stop thinking about wearing an apron recreationally - not like a dress or even really a skirt, but more like a tool belt.

Fashion Predictions. Wishing I could help you find the Puck merch, you’ll have to hit up Line Sheet’s Lauren Sherman about it.

Zero Regrets Dressing. That sense of calm usually makes it easy to see with clear eyes and the result is often the phenomenon of what I call Zero Regrets Dressing.

Real-life Connections. I placed my effort, was working myself into real-life encounters instead of depending on the digital footprint - and the byproduct of that behavior was often newfound, authentic connection.

Style Freedom. I’ve been cutting pant-hems and sleeve-lengths and dresses for weeks, it’s kind of liberating in the way a big, spontaneous haircut is.

Shoe Transformation. I took them to a cobbler last week to remove the straps and it’s kind of like I got a new pair of shoes.

Pool Blue Tendency. One tendency that’s coming for us if The Row’s fall 24 shoe range is to be believed!

Perception Shift. Many more things are liable to please your eye when you’re already in that I-love-everything mindset.

Upload Timing. The site does an upload every morning at 7 and evening at 7.

Creative Quality. The quality of the product you’re left with is often not that different from what you make when you’re in the neutral zone, or even feeling kind of uninspired.

Inspiration Approach. There’s something to approaching one’s window shopping from a place of inspiration vs. one of looking for inspiration.

Mindset Matters. Your confidence is greater, your risk threshold higher when you’re under the spell of your own brand of creative genius.

Culinary Reminder. Consider this a reminder of the almighty power that always flickers right there, in you.

Casual Fashion Evolution. These are clothes being worn to live real life, created as a cocktail of function and pleasure.

Street Report Introduction. Today we’re uptown, next time we’ll be somewhere else. Welcome to the first edition of the street report.

Style as Self-Expression. I love seeing the choices people make to present and convey themselves.

Tourist Trends. I’d be remiss to leave out the tourists — as in, those who come in from different neighborhoods to enjoy the park.

Neighborhood Style Variety. The profile type of the person who walks by varies. You’ve got your new mom taking baby to the park.

Cafe Seating Insights. If I sit here long enough I always experience the stop-in-your-tracks, what-are-they-wearing, I’m-gonna-try-that-too effect.

Frozen Yogurt Popularity. You can walk by at 8am, which often I do on my way home from school drop off, and there is a 50% chance you’ll see someone eating it.

Inspirational Wardrobe Choices. The full look might resemble something that you can (and want to) make yourself — that inspires you to go to your closet and pull together an outfit you had not thought to make before.

Dynamic Style Appreciation. It just feels good to witness other people being themselves with no regret or apology.

Accessorizing the Pregnancy Look. Nailing the balance is about gently combining the accessories you&#8217;re going to add and the one that&#8217;s attached to you.

Fashion as Reconnection. It&#8217;s like putting the outfits together and then putting them on and fixing them up and making them work and finding a rendering of myself that felt honest.

Disconnection During Pregnancy. One thing I have noticed this pregnancy that either I was not aware of or did not experience last time is how often I feel disconnected.

Dressing with Empathy. There is a magic of drawstring pants in that they expand and contract.

Summer Trench Importance. I fully believe the summer trench can be a universal thing.

Simplicity vs. Accessorizing. If one variable of your look is pretty extra just as these pants are, you&#8217;ll want to neuter the rest of the outfit.

Intoxicating Pregnancy Energy. To be in the child bearing season of life is intoxicating in other ways: there&#8217;s a softness and fluidity and malleability about it.

Empowered Recognition. There&#8217;s a sort of force that comes to a woman who is recognizing that she has her life back.

Accessories for Simplicity. Adding a belt is a nice way to feel like you&#8217;re further, but not too distantly further, accessorized.

Summer Dressing Challenge. Because it is summer, I actually think the challenge is the same for us all: how do you stay cool and manage a way to look cool too?

Daily Walking Habit. Walking feels like the closest thing to daily progress these days.

Empowering Each Other. When you’re free - from the shackles of judgment and shame, competition and martyrdom, the game collapses from its house of cards.

Behavior and Change. The difference between getting what you want, being who you want to be and not is as straightforward as behavior.

Coping Mechanism. I guess when you’re in the presence of someone who seems like they’re on their rocket ship and you’re less sure whether you’re on your own, you want them to slow down or come down or be at your level.

Female Competition. It’s a beautiful quality when you consider that the ultimate goal for so many of us seems to be harmony within communion, but so often it happens at the expense of a key ingredient when it comes to harmoniousness, which is staying true to ourselves.

Fashion Observations. I could see my own participation in this flywheel - the way I get protective when I’m feeling good instead of spreading my wings to give shade where it's needed.

Walking Benefits. The time alone is like a psychic clean-up.

Consideration of Layers. With the right black sheer piece, you might need nothing else; layering can enhance the outfit's appeal.

Deliberate Anchoring Choices. The v-shaped hem and pointelle fabric combo of Doen's romper are key to creating a flattering and formal look.

Pajamas and Formal Coats. A more formal coat can change the constitution of your pajamas, primarily because it feels less like a robe.

Letting Yourself Hang Free. The theme is letting yourself hang free, particularly with pajamas during pregnancy.

Celebrating Natural Beauty. It's most beautiful when bodies are not being forced to act out of their nature.

Beautiful When Accentuated. A pregnant body is most beautiful when it is accentuated, allowing it to hang freely without compression from clothing.

Flexibility with Style. It's refreshing to find yourself in trends you've previously not considered 'you', related to acceptance of a fluctuating body.

Tighter and Smaller. Not all the time, but tighter and smaller clothing has its place, enhancing the overall fit with a growing body.

Working with Proportions. Key is making sure whatever I'm wearing below hits exactly at the right spot on the body to maintain its integrity.

Rihanna's Impact. Rihanna genuinely, seismically changed how women think about dressing their pregnant bodies.

Jelly Shoe Alternatives. I think these, specifically in blue, might be a good alt to jelly shoes if you’re not hot on the trend, but yearn for an off-shoe choice.

The Row's Spring Collection. What do these clothes do that other clothes can’t? What does the brand mean to the wearer?

Influence of Collections. Part of it has to relate to how familiar so much of it feels, the individual garments, but especially the styling.

Electric Blue Trends. Actually, it’s electric blue for all.

Silk Over Poplin. Silk shirts will eclipse poplin shirts.

Spring Collection Appeal. The style code remains so consistent and buildable and yet the tweaks from season to season read enough like seismic change to make you feel like everything in your wardrobe is irrelevant outside of these looks.

Valentino Maximalism. The feedback to the first collection of Alessandro Michele, previously of Gucci, has been split between two camps.

Comfort Above All. I’m picky about shoes because they have to be comfortable — we always take a long family walk in the morning.

Shopping Preference. I shop The Real Real a lot — so I check for my brands when I’m there: Margiela, Lauren Manoogian, Casey Casey, Galanos, Prada.

Clothing as Pleasure. Clothing is pleasure. My medium is writing and that is different, but clothes have always felt like pleasure to me.

Work from Home. When you work from home, you have to sort of break up your day and clothes are a really good way to break it up.

Fashion Influence. I like looking like someone who enjoys the culture of clothes, for whom style is an intellectual pursuit.

Personal Style. The jazz shoes are from Repetto - they’re as comfortable as sneakers and when they get dirty, they look really cool.

Thought Leader. Rachel Tashjian Wise is a fashion writer for the Washington Post and author of the invite-only natural style newsletter, Opulent Tips.

Evolution of Chic. The original sense of the word chic is individual, strong, eccentric, and off-putting, which contrasts with its modern use to describe something easy and bourgeois.

Women's Writing. I love thinking about women writing. I think so much about Didion 'moving words around the page,' or Toni Morrison conducting phrases in that incredibly spare way.

Social Gatherings. I also have friends over for dinner a lot. It’s less expensive and not as loud.

Fashion Research. A lot of the shopping I do is more like research.

Fashion Journalism. There seems to be this perception that journalistic writing and fashion writing go in different buckets, but writing could be an experience of aesthetic pleasure.

Experience of Writing. My personal writing is really my newsletter [Opulent Tips]. The nice thing about having a newsletter is that you can write about whatever you want.

Fashion Exploration. Putting it together typically starts with something I really want to wear, and then I think about how to compliment it in a way that looks eccentric but not crazy.

Airy Summer Shirt. There is no airier solution to the summer button down than Q House of Basic's 'Dennis' shirt.

Fashion Week Excitement. Generally speaking, this time of year always provides the best conditions for a fashion week.

Light Summer Layering. The only variable that seems to matter is to keep them (the layers) light.

Prada's Influence. These are exactly the short pants or long shorts you need in order to scratch the forthcoming itch imposed by Prada's $5,700 silk knickers.

Growing Preference for Summer Coats. The taste for a summer coat is growing more pronounced.

Fashion Recommendations. The easiest way to anchor into a desired vibe is through the lowest common denominators that appeal to you.

Value of Boredom. We’re developing a renewed awe for the condition of boredom, beginning to view it as the most valuable resource.

Boring Girl Summer. I haven't been able to stop thinking about Lauren Marie's "Boring Girl Summer" since I read it in June.

Creativity and Boredom. It’s the well from which creativity springs, a cornerstone of refining your imagination.

Boredom's Yearning. The most pervasive yearning I can sense as a result is for boredom as an aspirational condition.

Soft and Fluid Styles. The general rule is less starchy, rigid, dressed — more soft, fluid, undressed.

Casual Materials. And airy materials like pointelle, poplin and washed silk can anchor a summer look.

Ideal Summer Outfit. Lead with neutral colors (white, ivory, grey, navy, black, etc) but leave room for potential pops in the accessories.

Public Presentation. Summer style is a public presentation of a version of you that is unmasked.

Dynamic Sightseeing. The energy around tourists can rekindle a local's awe of the city.

Shoe Styles. The shoes-for-sale on the second floor at Bergdorf Goodman are unparalleled.

Fashion Context. Even utilitarian pieces like cargo shorts can be styled in ways that are fashionable with the right accessories.

Combination of Styles. Combos of utilitarian garments create a quality that makes sense in a fashion context.

Summer Walks. Walking in midtown, particularly towards Bryant Park, is a favorite pastime that combines a casual drink with observation.

Leisurely Pace. The pace on Fifth Avenue is leisurely, with tourists often stopping to take in the sights.

Utilitarian Fashion. You get a lot of utilitarian sun-hats and multi-pocket vests amongst tourists.

Bergdorf Goodman Impact. Bergdorf Goodman is responsible for much of the style seen around the park.

Fashion Inspiration. Tourist style is a unique beast that can inspire creativity with some imagination.

Tourist Influence. It’s not just locals; tourists greatly influence the ebb and flow of styles in midtown.

Mix of Styles. There is a cool overlap in style between characteristic cues of lower-upper east side style and office style endemic to midtown.

Unique Styles. How people are dressed is often the most apparent point of demarcation between neighborhoods.

Dynamic Neighborhoods. Walking through New York City is dynamic; neighborhoods spill into each other.

Clothing's Ease. The energy of the clothes just seems to be more...at ease.

Summer Style Reflection. There is something about summer style that really softens me.

Tresse x Cafe Leandra Launch. TRESSE X CAFE LEANDRA IS HERE.

Trend Funnel Reflection. I’ve been thinking a lot about the trend funnel — the fandom that develops around brands and designers, where it starts and where it ends.

Influencer Impact. What makes an editor/influencer/blogger want to rally behind a brand?

Brand Success Factors. How much of the success/virality potential of a brand or its product is at the credit of the designers who produce the goods vs. those who rally behind it?

Cultural Resonance. This familiarity factor makes it much easier to buy in to a trend.

Functionality of Mary Janes. Mary janes are like a more supportive sibling to the classic ballet flat.

Trend Longevity Factors. What conditions have to be present, what cultural nuances, consumer behavioral tendencies matter?

Peak Mary Jane. Even though we are post-peak mary jane (I’d say the fever pitch landed for fall 2022), they’re not going anywhere.

Mary Janes Prevalence. I walked into Bergdorf Goodman last week and noticed dozens of mary janes for sale on the shoe floor.

Risk of Sameness. I know I have been craving not newness but weirdness and wonder if this is a symptom of a broader trend away from the uniqueness.

Consumer Desire for Originality. There has been no mistaking what you’re going to get and newfound excitement has been established.

Fashion Newsletter Revival. When I say we’ve reached a new peak of fashion content, I am referring to the most recent and popular way to consume style stories — through the fashion newsletter.

Tod's Bag Comeback. It's time for the Tod's bag comeback.

Postpartum Fashion. I think this [Kapsul top] could be the postpartum hooray.

Kapsul Brand. I encountered this brand, Kapsul, earlier this week thanks to a DM from the founder, Mar.

Fashion Adaptation. The demands or conditions of your life are guiding what you want and why you want it.

Value of Sales. Do you ever break down what makes something worth buying once it’s been marked down?

MNZ x J. Crew Collab. MNZ's J. Crew collab is all about the scrunchie for me.

Research Focus. I&#8217;m researching an article about modern pubic hair norms and expectations.

Cultural Reference. I&#8217;m hoping participation is as robust as the bush on Gustave Courbet&#8217;s L&#8217;Origine du monde model.

Survey Invitation. I put together an anonymous poll that you can take here.

Anonymous Participation. Anyone of any gender or sexual orientation is encouraged to take the survey.

Body Modification. We shape, shave, sugar, wax, laser the hair. We surgically slice and snip the labia.

Hair and Identity. You have to love the hair in order to love the vagina.

Fragrance and Identity. Jean Madar, chairman and CEO of InterParfums Inc, recently stated that fragrance is part of a person's 'core identity'.

Desire for Scent. The Covid-era perfume boom parallels the post-bubonic plague perfume boom, indicating a strong desire for olfactory comfort.

Fragrance Industry Surge. Perfume sales are surging in both prestige and niche categories this year.

Social Media Trend. 'Outfit of the day' posts on social media are slowly being replaced by 'scent of the day' posts (#sotd).

Perfume's Psychological Appeal. Perfume conveniently sidesteps the problems of the flesh, focusing on how you feel, rather than how you look.

Emotional Marketing. Charlotte Tilbury's new 'emotion-boosting' fragrance More Sex is designed to enhance feelings of sex, reflecting a marketing trend towards emotional experiences.

Ugly Beauty Explained. Today's so-called 'ugly' trends can more accurately be described as 'pre-pretty.'

Consumption Analysis. The relationship between skin and consumption should not be mediated through mass consumption.

Rejection of Standards. To achieve true neutrality, one must dream bigger than setting new beauty standards: we must destroy them.

Cleaning Obsession. The narrator's obsession with cleanliness reflects her struggle with identity and societal expectations.

Narrative Perspective. Written from the point of view of a wealthy Palestinian woman living in New York, the book contends with class, colonialism, and beauty culture.

Novel Recommendation. I suggest you pre-order this very strange, very stirring novel right now.

Skin-Brain Connection. The skin becomes a canvas for what’s going on inside.

Emphasis on Aesthetics. There are physical, psychological, environmental consequences (on the individual and collective levels) to consider.

Class Performance. Beauty is described as a class performance.

Challengers Film. Who else noticed the suspiciously lingering shots of Tashi's blue jar of Augustinus Bader Body Cream?

Mental Health Risks. The pressure to meet unrealistic beauty standards has been tied to increased instances of anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia.

Financial Sacrifice. DeFino states that a significant amount of money is sacrificed in the pursuit of unattainable anti-aging goals, leading to irrational spending.

Anti-Aging Obsession. DeFino considers the obsession with anti-aging to be disordered, indicating that it is a nonsensical goal because you cannot anti-age.

Medicalization of Skin. Jessica DeFino argues that modern skincare is being pathologized to the point of requiring medical intervention for normal skin.

Skincare Addiction Data. Subscribers to a popular Reddit thread, r/SkincareAddiction, increased more than 60% in the past year.

Cultural Comparisons. The obsession with skincare can be seen as paralleling eating disorders, with dermorexia and orthorexia highlighting cultural influences on beauty standards.

Injectable Influence. Clein suggests the current class of injectable weight loss drugs might foster an eating disorder for a new age of technocapitalism, wherein we try to recast hunger as just another inconvenience we can eliminate with an app.

Capitalism's Impact. Emmeline Clein argues that phases of capitalism influence eating disorders.

Pathological Behavior. There is a growing concern that excessive use of cosmetics might be categorized as a clinically disordered or compulsive behavior.

Cultural Shift. The rise in skincare culture has shifted the focus from body image issues, such as weight, to an increased scrutiny of skin among teens.

Skin and Brain Link. DeFino highlights the established link between the skin and brain, known as the Brain-Skin Axis, which is crucial for understanding psychological impacts on skin health.

Replication and Dehumanization. It does not enhance, but degrades. It does not expand human consciousness, but dehumanizes.

Manipulation vs. Beauty. Kardashian is more interested in manipulating (mutilating?) the body for the sake of encouraging mass replication of her manipulated body.

Fashion or Art?. I would argue her overall Met Gala look by John Galliano for Margiela wasn’t art, either.

Coppola Collaboration. This collaboration corrupts that. Compromises it, cheapens it.

Beauty Industry Critique. What if van Gogh used his representation of the real to convince us the real shouldn’t exist at all; that the real is flawed — wrong and unwell and unworthy — solely on the basis of not being the representation?

Art and Nature. I can’t stop staring out the window at them! I see the beauty of both more clearly.

Definition of Beauty. If the latter is commodified in ways that devalue the former, I don’t think I can call it art or beauty.

Cosmetic Waste. Cosmetic medical waste is piling up like clothing in landfills.

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Interesting Topics Covered. In this issue: Equinox pivots to skincare! Veneer tech horror stories! The other meaning of natural beauty! Like I said over a year ago: Ozempic is the new Botox!

Panel at a Philosophy Festival. I will be part of a panel on the politics of beauty and giving a solo talk on divesting from the beauty industry.

Carry On Shampoo Design. Carry On shampoo 'primarily comes in a large jug with a handle that makes it easy to carry around' and 'fills its own void' with a tiny elliptical travel-size version of itself.

Cultural Commentary. Together, they dissect the biggest and dumbest celebrity happenings every month and give their unfiltered opinion on everything going on in the world of fashion and beauty.

Monthly Format. Once a month, Emily and I will be sweeping up the messiest moments in celebrity beauty and fashion.

Collaboration Details. The Review of Mess is an audio collaboration between The Review of Beauty and I <3 Mess.

Podcast Launch. We started a podcast! Please enjoy the first episode of The Review of Mess.

First Episode Topics. Today we're talking about Mariah Carey riding a rollercoaster with her hairdresser, Brooke Shields launching a haircare line, and Taylor Swift's rumored fragrance.

Learning Experience. This was our first time recording together and I learned a lot; mainly, that I laugh too hard into the mic, make too many 'listening' noises, and need to stop saying '100 percent'.

Mentioned Books. Books we mentioned include Masscult and Midcult: Essays Against the American Grain by Dwight Macdonald and Aspiration: The Agency of Becoming by Agnes Callard.

Rejecting Platitudes. I tend to reject statements like 'Everybody is beautiful', and I worry that 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' can function in the same way.

Cultural Pressure. Our culture is constantly telling us that our bodies are never good enough, and this shame that we are encouraged to feel about our bodies is in itself a public health issue.

Social Consequences. Research shows those who do not meet this standard of beauty can face social, financial, and political consequences.

Compulsory Participation. Participation in the beauty industry is, to some degree, compulsory for women and gender non-conforming people in particular, but increasingly, as the beauty industry grows, for men too.

Beauty and Flourishing. We should abandon the idea that beauty is in the eye of the beholder because it’s not currently useful to the projects of human flourishing, wellbeing, and equality.

Children's Concerns. Data shows that children as young as five worry about being ugly, and seek to make themselves more attractive according to the dominant ideal.

Demystifying Beauty. Rather than insist 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder', it might be more beneficial to demystify the standard of beauty and center questions like, 'What shapes beauty?' and 'What shapes the eye?'

Self-Surveillance. Today, the 'eye of the beholder' is turned toward the self more than at any other point in human history, with each person judging their own so-called beauty.

Grooming Statistics. Of the straight women polled, 82% remove some of their pubic hair — but only 15% say they’re completely bare down there.

Pubic Hair Trends. The long-awaited results of The Pubic Hair Poll, answered by 14,000+ people, indicate that the bush is back.

At-Home Grooming Risks. Even if you’re fine with those risks and meet those requirements, Dr. Reed says you should get 'a proper assessment by a trained professional' before trying it at home.

Worries About Judgement. 65% of women report worrying about whether new male partners will judge their pubic hair style.

Male Preferences. 50% of men say they have no preference whatsoever when it comes to pubic or bum hair.

Butthole Beauty Trend. Back in December 2023, I predicted 'butthole beauty products' would soon be a thing.

Flipping Perspectives. Whenever we hear 'a tube of Maybelline Great Lash Mascara sells every five seconds', we should also hear: waste, overconsumption, conformity.

Consumer Associations. The framing suggests consumer trust, popularity, and efficacy.

Marketing Hook. I got an email from makeup brand Laura Geller the other day with the subject line “1,000 Blushes Sold Daily!”

Exclusive Info Access. The info behind the paywall is consistently six-plus months ahead of the curve.

SEO Slug Insight. Brennan Kilbane wrote '‘Holecare’ Is Here. Do We Need It to Be?' for Allure. (The SEO slug? 'how-to-care-for-butthole.')

Holecare Launch. A month later, Megababe founder Katie Sturino announced the launch of a new 'butthole cleanser.'

Mini Fridge Trend. Darshita Goyal noted that the "stickered and stuffed" refrigerators sent by Gisou to beauty creators took the gluttony of PR packages to stratospheric new heights.

Government Regulation Needed. DeFino emphasized that brands alone cannot fix the waste problem; it requires government regulation regarding materials, supply chain management, and a collective divestment from the beauty industry.

Moving Past Excess. DeFino suggested that the obvious solution lies in shifting our values away from mass consumerism as a marker of success.

Recycling Skepticism. DeFino expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of recycling, stating that only about 5-6% of plastic actually gets recycled in the US.

Waste Accumulation Realization. DeFino realized the amount of waste she accumulated from PR packages, stating she could only imagine the waste big-time editors and influencers amass.

Consumer Expectations. DeFino expressed concern that unboxing has created a demand and expectation for over-the-top experiences at the individual consumer level.

Sustainability Distraction. Jessica DeFino mentioned that the beauty industry overall is increasing in intensity, in the opposite direction of sustainability despite the growing conversation around it.

Environmental Impact. An estimated 45% of landfill waste comes from product packaging, and recycling is not an effective solution due to high global warming potential of refrigerators.

TikTok Engagement. #GisouMiniFridge has over 53 million views on TikTok with thousands of comments dubbing this the dream PR package.

Wasteful PR Practices. Samantha Ravndahl stated, "I just find all of this PR incredibly wasteful," highlighting the excess in beauty influencer gifting.

Inflammatory Products. The initial burning sensation starts to kick in after 3 - 5 seconds.

Unique Brand Missions. Whatever people don’t have is a refreshingly honest brand mission statement.

Beauty Podcast Observations. It's extremely rare for women to say they feel their most beautiful after a blowout or with a full face of makeup.

Consumer Insights. Not consumers, who are buying gallons of the stuff.

Cultural Commentary. Famous woman doesn’t appear to be old does not belong next to news items about helicopter rescues, disability rights, and charitable donations.

Top-Selling Fragrances. The Paris Hilton fragrances may just be the top-selling brand globally.

Hilton Underestimation. Paris Hilton has been 'underestimated' as a force in the cosmetics space for her entire career.

Bizarre Perfume Descriptions. I really do adore bizarre perfume copy — I bought one of the scents described above myself.

Humorous Marketing. Rest Religion is promoting its moisturizer as 'Chicken Soup For The Skin.'

Skin and Food Connection. Because the skin is part of the body. It gets the nutrients it needs for basic functioning from the same place as the rest of your bodily organs.

Sunburn Blush Trend. The look this summer goes beyond the faux-tan — it’s the faux-sunburn.

Trend in Wearability. It's a new kind of 'wearability,' the merch-ification of beauty, the physical product as status symbol.

Beauty Product Purchases. If we feel most beautiful without beauty products, what is all this stuff we’re buying?

Consumer Behaviors. Not a single woman mentioned lip gloss as a mood enhancer for sex in interviews conducted by a lifestyle editor.

Ineffectiveness of Lip Gloss. This product likely impedes our ability to make out; it's a plumping gloss that may cause discomfort.

Aesthetic Experience. Desire for many is dependent on an aesthetic experience of oneself, rather than of the person being desired.

Focus on Self. The ad frames desire by implying that feeling desirable is related to the lip gloss, reflecting an internalized 'sale gaze' influenced by capitalism.

Desire Reflection. The ad suggests a narcissistic model of longing, detaching from connection with a person and re-attaching to connection with a product.

Lip Gloss Appeal. Tinx created a lip gloss called Rom Com that aims to evoke a desire for making out.

Recommendation for Intimacy. Creating more dialogue around the idea that not wearing makeup can enhance desire, sensuality, and pleasure is necessary.

Libido Challenges. Rom Com highlights a libido problem where many feel there is no time or energy for pleasure sharing.

Narcissistic Element. The construction of the tagline suggests an autosexuality that emphasizes self-desire rather than relational desire.

Critique of Pop Culture. The Review of Mess takes a critical look at the dregs of pop culture.

Celebrity Topics. Today we’re talking about: Cirque du Soleil’s perfume, Rihanna’s deal with Dior, and Kim Kardashian’s fashion horcruxes, among other topics.

Audio Issues Resolved. Don’t worry, we heard you last month — even if you couldn’t hear us!! — and fixed our audio issues.

Podcast Collaboration. The Review of Mess is a podcast collaboration between The Review of Beauty (by Jessica DeFino) and I <3 Mess (a fashion newsletter from Emily Kirkpatrick).

Mentioned Media Links. Media we mentioned include articles about pubic hair grooming and hair trends, highlighting the relevance of personal grooming in celebrity culture.

Celebrity Fashion Dissection. Together, they dissect the biggest and dumbest celebrity happenings every month and give their unfiltered opinion on everything going on in the world of fashion and beauty.

Jessica DeFino's Influence. Jessica is the writer behind The Review of Beauty, which has been called the newsletter 'the beauty industry fears.'

Republican Women's Image. Republican women are making themselves over to appeal to current U.S. presidential candidate, convicted felon, and former beauty pageant owner Donald Trump.

Cancer Linkages. Hair relaxers have been linked to reproductive disorders and cancers, and particularly aggressive forms of breast cancer are more common in Black women than in other women.

Luxury Anti-Aging Gatherings. Anti-aging enthusiasts Bryan Johnson and Kim Kardashian gathered for a 'Don't Die Dinner.'

Steroid Users Growth. The second-fastest growing population at needle exchange programs after steroid users—who now outnumber heroin and crack users—are allegedly people injecting themselves with illegal Botox and filler.

Therapeutic Insights. The crinkly texture results from damage to the hair follicle. You’ve pulled out the same hair too many times.

Author's Reflection. I like the concept of burning everything to the ground, of smoking out the world until even the bulbs beneath the bed of the earth are ash.

Coping Mechanism. Writing this is the first time I have ever described the strange rituals I undertake when I pull out my hair, my eyelashes, my eyebrows.

Childhood Rituals. Each lash carries its own unique wish scribbled upon it.

Book Recommendation. There is so much in this book about how beauty culture shows up in literary spaces too, and I really can’t recommend it enough.

Unmasking Normalcy. Normal is a lie. But normal was always a lie - my whole life was built on a deception, and that deception became the norm.

Destruction of Beauty. Pulling mine out made me an active destroyer, a purveyor of ironies: I was born with extra-long, double-thick lashes.

Family Affliction. Most of the female cousins on my mother’s side of the family have trichotillomania.

Early Struggles. Thirty-nine years ago, in 1985, the year I started kindergarten, I began to pull my eyelashes out.

Body as Problem. The body may not be an apology, but it is the problem I face, writing to ignite and destroy a shame so long-hidden.

Expensive Injectables. The idea of feeling good despite not looking any different raises questions: If it's about how you feel, why choose expensive injectables as a vehicle for that?

Cosmetics Marketing. Ads imply it’s ideal to not wear a particular cosmetic product, then assume that forgoing cosmetics isn’t an option and propose an alternative product instead.

Selfies & Lice. A researcher with the Pest and Insecticide Research Center in Buenos Aires states that selfies are 'a significant transmission source' for head lice, as pressing your head to fit into a cellphone frame could facilitate transmission.

Rise of Mewing. Gabriel Smith writes in The Paris Review that Mike Mew and his father believe that in humanity there is currently an epidemic of ugliness, and they promise you can build a strong jawline through 'mewing.'

Cindy Crawford's Influence. Cindy Crawford is an “entrepreneurial role model among aspiring supermodels,” with her beauty brand, Meaningful Beauty, cited as the blueprint for model-founded cosmetic companies today.

Ramses' Beauty Routine. David Yi writes in Pretty Boys that “Every morning before sunrise, Ramses the Great would open his eyelids to find dozens of officials, servants, assistants, and slaves waiting to guide him through his elaborate beauty routine.”

Katy Perry's Video. In a clip from the forthcoming music video for her single “Woman’s World,” Katy Perry takes six jade rollers to the fully-made-up face.

Wasteful Merch. Free gifts with purchase are getting out of control, with companies like Glossier and Versed giving away items that encourage overconsumption.

Skincare Recognition. Elizabeth Banks is set to star in 'Skincare,' a campy thriller about an aesthetician launching her own beauty line, indicating a recognition of modern skincare as entertainment rather than care.

Semen in Beauty. On June 24, Agent Nateur launched a beauty supplement that includes spermidine, a synthesized amino acid found in semen, known for its supposed anti-aging properties.

Boxers Trend. Amazon confirms women’s boxers are 'Trending Now' as Miu Miu and Bally sent boxers down the runway for Spring-Summer 2023.

Aesthetic Trends. 2023 saw an endless stream of trends signaling the popularity of girl culture, as named 'the year of the girl' by NPR.

Cultural Shift. Traditional 'boyhood' is being synthesized through traditional 'girlhood'; the core characteristic of which, as the girlhood discourse insisted, is aesthetic performance.

Viral Series Impact. In the viral TikTok series Boy Room, comedian Rachel Coster explores the dirty, disorganized, and otherwise adolescent bedrooms of adult men in New York City.

Physical Ideal Concerns. The pressure to meet an impossible physical ideal for boys is not more encouraging than 'guns for girls.'

Boyfriend Blush. ‘Boyfriend blush’ is a newly-popular application technique that 'replicates the outdoorsy effect of ruddy cheeks after a game of rugby or polo.'

Controversial Commentary. If you encounter someone who seems exhausted enough that it’s temporarily altered their physical form, consider the possibility that you don’t know what you’re talking about.

Existential Insecurity. Would assuaging a bodily insecurity with surgery – which you’ve made clear you do not want – be worth the existential insecurity of not acting in accordance with your values?

Humans and Insecurity. Accepting insecurity as part of the human condition is a more productive and realistic goal than accepting one's so-called 'flaws'.

Flawed Framing. Why 'coming to terms with an imperfection' is flawed framing.

Source of Insecurity. Most [girls and women] can trace their earliest experience of appearance anxiety back not to a cruel world, but a well-meaning family member.

Advice for Mothers. To the mothers encouraging their kids to get elective cosmetic surgery: I know this comes from a place of love.

See Full Advice. The rest of my answer includes...what this woman should say to her mother.

Elective Surgery Warnings. The world will value or devalue your child based on how well they adhere to a narrow standard of beauty, and you want the best for them.

Culinary Inspiration. Julie Delpy's character says, 'If there's any kind of magic in this world, it must be in the attempt of understanding someone sharing something.'

Supportive Friend. The only reason it happened is because my friend saw the possibilities in me before I could see them myself.

Upcoming Residency. I'm about to announce a residency I’ll be doing in May at a restaurant in Brooklyn.

Jewelry Gift. For Valentine's Day, my husband, Rais, gave me a simple gold necklace with a strawberry charm, because I love wearing fruit.

Colorful Footwear. When I was filming Next Level Chef in London, I bought a pair of lime green rain boots, and I've never gotten more compliments.

Social Gatherings. I want my friends to feel like they can pop over any time and I'll feed them.

Reality TV Experience. The best part of competing on Gordon Ramsay's reality show Next Level Chef was entering an environment where my only responsibility was to cook as well as I could for 40 minutes a day.

Culinary Identity. My parents are Bangladeshi, and I grew up in Marietta, Georgia, so I made Southern fare with Bengali flavors.

Engagement Encouragement. We're excited to discover your surprises and delights. Thank you so much for sharing!

Request for Recommendations. For a future issue of Big Salad, please use this short web form to tell us about something you love.

Email Participation. You can also participate by emailing newsletter@cupofjo.com with subject line: recommendation.

Topics of Interest. We're especially eager for recommendations on these topics: Culture, Fashion and beauty, Home, Entertaining, Travel, Personal.

Personal Crisis. DeFino experienced a crisis of self-worth when her skin issues made her unable to use beauty tools, leading her to realize that she valued herself too much based on appearance.

Newsletter Launch. DeFino launched her newsletter to gain editorial freedom to write about the beauty industry's impact without fear of pushback.

Beauty Industry Critique. Jessica DeFino pivoted to reporting on the beauty industry after questioning the unattainable beauty standards being sold.

Personal Transformation. Since living in her grandmother's house, DeFino has found joy in paddle boarding and birdwatching as a way to connect with nature.

Positive Reader Feedback. DeFino feels lucky when readers leave positive comments, which she saves for encouragement when needed.

Influential Reads. DeFino recommends James Hamblin's 'Clean' and Tressie McMillan Cottom's 'Thick' for insights on beauty and its societal implications.

Reader Community Thanks. Thank you to everyone who wrote in! We adore this community so much.

Simple Pleasures. Noticing nature waking up in spring is a beautiful reminder of the season's change.

Artistic Gift Recommendation. Tucker Nichols' project 'Flowers for Sick People' dedicates paintings with empathy and warmth.

Romance Novel Impact. Reading romance novels has helped me form new associations with physical intimacy.

Travel Essential. Anker power strip creates connections among strangers in an airport terminal during delays.

Family Meal Solution. Gotham Greens Vegan Pesto is a dinner hack that satisfies different dietary preferences in my family.

Sun Protection Review. Supergoop's Glow Oil spreads well and leaves your skin glowing without stickiness.

Jeans Discovery. For my 50th, my husband bought me painter pants that transform how I feel about clothing during perimenopause.

Party Snack Success. 'The Dip' by Alison Roman is the best party snack that never disappoints.

Reader Engagement. We asked readers to reveal their favorite things and received 400 responses!

Dating Update. I recently went on a date to an old-school steakhouse in Staten Island that was filled with nostalgia.

Kids' Drawing Tools. Stabilo three-in-one pencils are great for kids; they are chunky enough and come in vibrant colors.

Concerns About Apps. I'd heard so many horror stories about dating apps that I found myself kind of dreading the process.

Year Off Dating. After my own marriage ended, I took a year off dating to clear my head.

Dating at 50. I'm dating on apps again, at 50, after my divorce. It's overwhelming to me, and I'm looking for guidance or shared stories - anything to make this a little less stressful.

Surprising Experience. Honestly, Jessica, I've been really surprised by...

Encouragement to Date. But you have one wild and precious life, so I took a deep breath and went for it.

Culinary Experiences. Diners seeking 'real' Chicago pizza are taken to Pizano's for the charming ambiance and quality food.

Local Recommendations. Merz Apothecary, opened in 1875, operates as a pharmacy and features a selection of the best-smelling soaps and skincare.

Upcoming Events. Next, we’ll be coming to Seattle on August 21st, so if you live around there, please save the date!

Cafes and Coffee. Side Practice Coffee in Ravenswood is noted for its unique offerings, including in-house pandan oat milk.

Reader Favorites. The Big Salad readers shared their 22 favorite things, highlighting a great Trader Joe's find.

Event Highlights. The evening included live music, with Bigkid performing 'Tell Me A Story', creating a memorable atmosphere.

Food Recommendations. Bistro Campagne serves hearty French food, with mashed potatoes swimming in bone marrow butter.

Guest Interaction. Hunter Harris engaged the audience by discussing various topics including celebrity crushes, divorce, and pop culture.

Community Impact. A reader expressed gratitude for the inclusive atmosphere, saying she felt comfortable attending the event alone and met a new friend.

Event Success. All 250 tickets for the Big Salad event sold out in an hour.

Connection through Gardening. Aimee and her friend Ross Gay exchange letters about gardening, which sparked a book of poems together.

Literary Community. Aimee expressed that living in Oxford, Mississippi, makes her feel like she 'had the keys to the town square' because of its literary culture.

Memorable Meal. Aimee recounted a memorable meal; 'We can be parents and we can enjoy having a conversation, just the two of us.'

Visual Experience. Aimee feels fortunate that Fumi Mini Nakamura illustrated her book beautifully, making it a visual experience.

Emotional Connection. Aimee stated, 'There is so much sadness and despair in the world, but when wonder is a practice, you feel less alone.'

Personal Reflections. Aimee indicated that while writing about her favorite foods, she found herself writing 'about my favorite people' instead.

Book Release. Aimee Nezhukumatathil's new book, 'Bite By Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees,' features 40 short essays focusing on different foods.

Hidden Talent. Aimee humorously refers to herself as the 'Handwriting Champion of Western Kansas' from a sixth-grade competition.

Writing Style. Aimee drafts everything in pencil first and enjoys using school supplies like Blackwing pencils.

Reader Engagement. “Would anyone else be into swimsuit recs?” commented a reader named Andrea.

Swimsuit Issue Launch. We’re excited to share our first annual Swimsuit Issue.

Popular Brand Recommendation. ONE particular swimsuit brand was recommended a million times by Big Salad readers.

Top Picks Compilation. We gathered great stories and top picks from friends, readers, and ourselves.

Screening Experience. Each chair in the screening room came with a little ottoman.

Broad City Theme. I love how Broad City and Babes both center female friendship.

Deep Connections. Friendships between women are often the deepest and most profound love stories, but they are often discussed as if they are ancillary, 'bonus' relationships to the truly important ones.

Significance of Friendships. People sometimes act like you need to wait for a partner to complete yourself. Not so — if you’re lucky enough to have a friend or two, that’s everything.

Female Friendship. We call this a rom-com because it’s a romance between female friends.

Ilana Glazer's Film. Her hilarious movie Babes comes out today (!) and is an INCREDIBLE ode to female friendship.

Admiration for Ilana. A total force for good.

Interview with Ilana. I scored a 15-minute Zoom interview with Ilana.

DIY Approach. Erin emphasizes the importance of letting go of perfectionism in DIY projects, advocating for learning from mistakes and simplifying expectations.

Recommended TV Show. Erin enjoys watching the tender show 'Somebody Somewhere' with her husband, finding comfort in its portrayal of everyday life.

Moisturizing Salve. For skin care, Erin uses Lauren's All-Purpose Salve daily on her face, stating it's soothing and smells lovely, like lavender and patchouli.

Hair Care Recommendation. Erin uses Conscia shampoo and conditioner stones, which she praises for feeling incredible on her hair and having worked well for over two years.

Summer Activities. Erin's kids enjoy kickball, and she often hosts pizza or spaghetti gatherings after they play.

Favorite Sandwich Shop. Erin believes that Court Street Grocers in Brooklyn has the best vegetarian sandwiches.

Craft Projects Book. Erin Boyle co-wrote a book titled 'Making Things' with Rose Pearlman, filled with beginner-friendly craft projects you can create using simple materials.

Neighborhood Activities. Erin describes her kids as extremely into kickball, which she finds baffling, and expresses her enjoyment of community gatherings.

Loving the Ocean. Erin finds restoration in the ocean, mentioning her enjoyment of trips to her hometown beach in Connecticut and Rockaway Beach in Queens.

Food Memories Event. The spring dinner event was themed around food memories, with guests sharing sweet and funny stories.

Product Recommendations. Readers are recommended to check out various stylish products mentioned throughout the month's issues.

Seattle Event. The Big Salad will share details about an upcoming Seattle event on August 21st.

Travel Inspiration. Reader Aja Barber shared her experience visiting sea pools in Australia after being inspired by a photo book.

Reader Experience. A reader shared a story about a romantic evening emphasizing the importance of communication and consent.

Green Lasagna Recipe. Clare de Boer made a green lasagna showcasing seasonal produce like peas and asparagus.

Friendship Insights. The author plans to share a personal issue about how she has learned to deepen friendships since her divorce.

Erin Boyle's Apartment Tour. Erin Boyle's apartment tour includes the #1 product she swears by for small space living.

Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil discusses her backyard pizza recipe and the coolest hotel.

Ilana Glazer Interview. Comedian/actor Ilana Glazer talks about her new movie, Babes, and how to kick off steamy sex.

Swimsuit Issue. The Big Salad swimsuit issue features 18 women's personal recommendations.

Read Further. Over my 20+ years in NYC, I’ve figured out a few ways to deepen friendships.

Friendship Importance. During the rollercoaster of the past two years — divorce, mediation, dating, etc. — I’ve leaned a lot on my friends.

Friendship Deepening. I’ve figured out a few ways to deepen friendships with both men and women.

Homemade Kindness. Mo left a loaf of banana bread on my stoop.

Gratitude Expression. I told her, 'Happy tears, I’m so grateful and moved by my friendships.'

Support System. These lovely men and women have kept my head above water — what would I do without them?

Podcast Concept. Their podcast pitch was, 'it’s our group chat, but on main.'

College Connection. Peyton and Hunter met in an intro to film class at Emerson College.

Podcast Co-hosts. Peyton Dix co-hosts 'Lemme Say This', a new pop-culture podcast with Hunter Harris.

Summer Tradition. Peyton and her friends visit Fire Island every July right after Pride for a detox trip.

Travel Essential. Peyton always packs two phone chargers, noting the extensive amount of media on her phone.

Scent Brag. Peyton's biggest brag is that she is frequently told she smells good due to her layered fragrances.

Favorite Date Spot. Peyton often goes to Rhodora, a wine bar, for her dates to easily manage her exit.

Times Square Billboard. Peyton didn't get to see her billboard on Times Square, and it was photoshopped later by Hunter's boyfriend.

Best Friend Dynamic. Peyton finds it rewarding to talk to her best friend on the podcast, joking about the novelty of 'two best friends with a podcast.'

Perfect Poolside Drink. Recently my friend Jeni served me a Hugo Spritz, made with Prosecco and St-Germain.

Favorite Market. The farmer's markets, especially the one in Logan Square, are excellent.

Family Dinner Ritual. We grab snacks and beers and pack them in this giant lightweight tote. It can get sandy and wet, is easy to clean.

Summer Style Inspiration. No one did summer style like Jane Birkin. She never took fashion too seriously.

Cool Summer Treat. To cool off, I go to Steve's Authentic in Red Hook for a 'swingle' - chocolate-covered key lime pie on a POPSICLE STICK.

Family Spotify Playlists. The choices are funny and specific to them, and a big bonus is that I now have a record of their musical tastes each year of their childhood.

Solstice Celebration. For the solstice, we build a fire in the fire pit or light sparklers.

Summer Flirting. Every summer, Seattleites drop their Scandinavian-adjacent pretenses of aloofness and become incorrigible flirts.

Summer Bucket List. We asked 20 people to share fun ideas for soaking up sunshine and good vibes.

Importance of Texting. Texting with friends is such a bolstering part of dating (and life in general).

Date Preparation. Here are a few texts I exchanged with friends, while I was getting ready for dates or actually ON them.

Planning Ahead. While it's happening, I'm thinking, this is fun, but I can't wait to f*cking yap about it for literally months to come.

Debriefing Experiences. "Sometimes the debrief of an event is better than the event itself," says Carla Bezanson.

Venue Information. Where: SIFF Cinema Egyptian, 805 E. Pine Street, Seattle.

Previous Event Success. Our Chicago event was magical and we know Seattle is going to be just as wonderful.

Purchase Information. For more details and to purchase tickets, go to: https://www.siff.net/cinema/in-theaters/big-salad-comes-to-seattle

Admission Cost. General admission tickets are $30.

Live Music. Once everyone takes their seats around 7 p.m., we’ll hear live music by cellist Gretchen Yanover.

Culinary Treats. Enjoy treats provided by Molly Moon's Ice Cream and Hello Robin Cookies.

Event Timing. When: Wednesday, August 21st. Doors open at 6 p.m., talk begins at 7 p.m.

Event Details. We’re excited to invite you to an evening in Seattle with Joanna Goddard, Kate Baer, and the Big Salad team.

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Writing Style. I try to write with a sharp tongue and a warm heart.

New TV Series. Gemma's sexy new TV series My Lady Jane just dropped on Amazon.

Gemma's Thoughts. Friendship is a love story, and I am so happy to share Gemma's thoughts with you here!

Dress Style. Tea dresses are best to wear with unexpected shoes, like white Converse high tops.

Cultural Accent. I amend my accent slightly depending on who I'm talking to.

Positive Affirmation. Treat yourself like you treat your bestie.

Favorite Music. Mitski's new album, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, is especially favored, particularly the song The Frost.

Work Ritual. She lights a candle when starting work and blows it out when done to mark entering that headspace.

Comfort Show. The cartoon Arthur is her comfort show, with a special mention of The Brain as her childhood crush.

Required Reading. The author's memoir, Know My Name, is described as 'required reading.'

Memoir Recognition. Chanel is known for her 2019 bestselling memoir, Know My Name, about being sexually assaulted by a Stanford athlete.

Chanel Miller's Novel. Big Salad editor Kaitlyn Teer spoke with Chanel Miller about her new middle-grade novel, Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All.

Podcast Favorite. She listens to The New Yorker: Fiction podcast and particularly enjoys episodes like Ottessa Moshfegh reading 'My Life Is a Joke.'

Style Preference. Chanel loves Big Bud Press's cotton work pants so much that she has them in every color under the sun.

Work-from-Home Hack. Chanel shares a work-from-home hack related to her beauty essential, Chanel hand cream, which she believes helps her remember her identity.

Family Connection Ritual. 'Every day on our family group chat, we all share the results for the NYT Strands word-search puzzle... It’s just this connection. Proof of life.'

Chickpea Recipe. 'My absolute go-to summer meal is... fry chickpeas for 15 minutes or so... perfection.'

New Non-Drinker Favorite. 'I am pretty much obsessed with Trader Joe’s Jalapeño Limeade, which makes the best N/A margarita around.'

Entertaining Strategy. 'We always set the table and light candles before guests arrive... It gave us this feeling of being so wanted, which I’m always trying to recreate.'

Podcast Recommendation. 'We’ve been listening to a podcast called Dead Eyes... it’s the most healing thing.'

Loved Footwear. 'I wear Oofos clogs all day, every day. They cured my plantar fasciitis.'

Family Connection Activity. 'Whenever our family drives in the car together, we do an activity called ‘Song Pickies,’ where we take turns picking songs from Spotify.'

Catherine Newman Featured. We’re featuring Catherine Newman!!!! The brilliant author writes books about parenting, marriage, aging, and friendship that make us laugh and cry.

Admiration for Body. 'I’m so filled with admiration for my body, even its scars and stretch marks.'

Parenting Through Changes. 'I would reassure myself that it gets easier... It’s delicate but also the best.'

Catherine's New Novel. 'Catherine’s new novel, Sandwich, offers a hilarious yet tender snapshot of a family vacation.'