The Weekender | No. 2

Over the past couple of weeks I have been hard at work on a new project, which being in early infancy stages will remain mysterious, but I did take the time out to spend Galentine’s day with one of my best girlfriends. We attended her boarding school alumni event, hosted in an elegant, tastefully decorated Upper East Side Penthouse (hello Serena van der Woodsen). We topped the night off with a visit to the Kendra Scott store in Soho where The Bookbabes co-hosted a Galentine’s day event with Random House. Fun, fun fun.

Michelle Obama's Becoming Book Club

Book Club

My book club met this week to discuss Michelle Obama’s Becoming. As it happened there were only three of us that were able to meet that night, and we wanted to go on with the discussion instead of postponing.

In some ways the conversation was whimsical and gossipy, with each of discussing why we would or would not have fallen for Barack Obama. I would have kicked him to the curb! More seriously, we talked about the life of a politician’s wife and whether Michelle compromised on the life that she wanted to have, and made comparisons between her upbringing and what we have heard from family members who had grown up around the same time period.

As I was slowly savoring my way through this much acclaimed memoir, it was the ultimate and best paradox. It’s such a beautiful reading experience, but at the same time there are parts of her life (Barack, college and law school, her experience of the presidency) that I couldn’t wait to read. In asking about which section of the memoir we liked the least, all of is agreed that it was when she finally got to the last section, which was about her experience in the White House. There’s just no way around the fact that it’s the least personal section, and even though it’s still all about Michelle, I missed her in that section. It’s a whirlwind of activity.

Links

I went down the rabbit hole for a considerable amount of time looking at pictures from Vanity Fair’s Oscar Party.

With the exception of the animated short, I want to see everything that Jordan Peele is making right now.

The new wave of psychic-busters.

Reading

I haven’t read this book yet, so I haven’t read what was actually said in this New York Times article, but I’m always excited when things I want to read are reviewed in the Times. It’s nonfiction about a mother of 10 who was kidnapped from her home in Northern Ireland in 1972. She was eventually found murdered, a victim of the violent and infighting in Ireland at the time. I’m adding this to my list as well.

The Readerly Report

Gayle and I have a few new podcasts up!

In this one we chat with Catherine of The Gilmore Guide to Books about the annoying prevalence of the word girl and woman in a number of popular titles. Is this just a purposeful marketing ploy or do some of these titles have real substance?

Then we talk about all of the books we want to read that are coming out in March, and I tell Gayle that life is too short to listen to terribly narrated audiobooks.

Gayle and I were guests on Sarah’s new podcast Sarah’s Bookshelves Live! We talk about how we started, some favorite reads (and some we can’t stand) and then we play a fun game. Take a listen to our episode.

Shopping & Wish List

I’m wondering if the heel will be high enough for me, but I love these loafers.

Ephemeral & Concrete Plans

A friend of mine is having a party this weekend and I have already alerted her to the fact that I’m unfortunately a maybe. She’s calling it an Anna Howard Shaw Day party, and might wear all white. My choice would be this lace confection. I have a similar dress with a wider brown belt that is one of my summer go-tos.

I have a definite work day planned on Sunday. I’m excited to be working on a fun project with a friend. We’ll probably venture out for a nice sushi dinner. I’ve been waiting for a chance to show off this dress. It feels like the type of fancy I want to be on a cold winter New York night. It’s also on sale right now.

Ritual Soothings

I have taken a long break from doing anything special with my face. It hasn’t been intentional, but I’m getting back into the game with my favorite heavy duty mask.

Speaking of face masks, this is another one that I really like. I want to work it into the rotation but maybe next week.

Still one of my favorite bath items after all these years.


Looking for more reading material? Check out my last weekend edition.


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