things i'm loving, how joan didion dressed, the rise of technoauthoritarianism, and the philosophy of a dress
Hello.
If you’ve been reading my newsletter for awhile, you’ve recognized my affinity for fragrance, candles, scents, etc. Even though we’re only entering into the start of February, I can’t help but dream of spring. I’ll share a few with you below in addition to a few things I’ve been loving recently.
(Tomorrow, I’ll be sending out my valentine’s day inspired newsletter filled with films, music, activities, baking projects, and more. There’s a lot of love in that one).
Things I’m loving lately:
-soy milk (yes, I still love whole milk), but recently I’ve been drinking a cup of soy milk for a little afternoon treat. It’s creamy and slightly sweet and it feels nourishing
-cinnamon raisin bread. This is so lovely. Waking up in the morning to the scent of cinnamon raisin bread fresh out of the toaster with the perfect spreading of butter on top and hot black coffee. Do you prefer cream and sugar?
-girl scout cookies: when I was in middle/ high school, I loved Samoas and Tagalongs. Those are a bit too sweet for me. Now, my favorites are the Trefoil shortbreads and do-si-do peanut butter sandwich cookies (the Toast-yay’s are good, too).
-CATNIP MAGAZINE: a new print magazine I discovered recently. A must read for fellow cat lovers.
-babaa knits. These are investment pieces. It’s one of the most coveted sweaters I own. I have this one. Longing for this one and this one. This vest is lovely.
-carnal flower fragrance by frederic malle: spring/ summer in a bottle. (notes: melon, tuberose, milk, musk)
-english promenade 19 fragrance by krigler (this perfume is wickedly expensive) and never would I ever encourage anyone to drop this much money on a fragrance. But the sample is $35 if you’re curious. Audrey Hepburn wore it. It smells exactly how you would image her- sweet, romantic, beguiling, elegant.
(notes: grapefruit, jasmine, orange blossom and white musk)
-iris hand cream: if I could persuade you to buy one thing, it’s this. I can’t begin to describe the beautiful soft, creamy, feminine scent this gives off. It’s light and nourishing. (notes: iris, musk, cedar)
If you’re curious and happened to notice a pattern in the fragrances I gravitate toward, musk is a key note I’m draw to for several reasons. Musk in fragrance provides balance and well-roundedness. It adds sensuality and it becomes one with your skin- essentially a “second skin”. So instead of “wow, that smells so good”, musk gives “wow, you smell so good”.
Okay, moving on.
News:
My Mom Told Me “You Don’t Want To Peak In High School”- Her Advice Still Guides Me
The narrative encapsulates the quintessential turmoil of adolescence, magnified within the microcosm of a Catholic high school, where trivialities loom with exaggerated importance. The mother's counsel, "You don't want to peak at high school," serves as a beacon through the tempest of teenage angst, subtly instilling the wisdom that life's true richness unfolds far beyond the confines of youth's narrow stage.
Guardian
Joan Didion Wrote How She Dressed
The essay delves into the interplay between fashion and storytelling, emphasizing the author's personal connection to fashion as a narrative device in her writing. It explores the concept of clothing as more than mere attire, considering it a powerful tool for character development and a means to express identity, both in daily life and in literature. The author reflects on the influence of Joan Didion's work and style, discussing how Didion's fashion choices and descriptions of clothing in her writing were deeply intertwined with her storytelling and personal expression. The essay underscores fashion's capacity to convey complex narratives and emotional landscapes, echoing Didion's belief in the symbiotic relationship between personal style and writing style.
Vestoj
The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the menstrual product industry and its broader social, economic, and environmental implications. It highlights how the industry has capitalized on the societal stigma surrounding menstruation to market products as necessities, while also examining alternative, more sustainable menstrual products. The piece delves into the complexities of "period poverty" and the impact of menstrual management on women's health and the environment, suggesting that current approaches to menstruation might reinforce rather than challenge existing societal structures and biases.
The New York Review Of Books
The World Is Full Of Terrors- And Yet We Love Watching Videos Of Them
Simon's fascination with disaster videos, despite the anxiety they induce, taps into a complex human psyche where fear and intrigue intertwine, revealing our inherent desire to confront mortality from the safe removal of a screen, challenging our limits while remaining within the bounds of security.
The Washington Post
Greta Lee's absence from the Oscar nominations highlights the intricate relationship between celebrity, fashion, and brand identity, particularly in the context of red carpet events. Lee's collaboration with stylist Danielle Goldberg and Loewe's Jonathan Anderson exemplifies a strategic alignment that transcends mere clothing choices, embedding deeper narratives of authenticity and brand synergy. This phenomenon, where the congruence between a celebrity's personal brand and a fashion label's ethos resonates with audiences, underscores the evolving dynamics of influence and perception in the fashion industry, as analyzed in Launchmetrics' 2024 Voices of Fashion report. The report suggests that the impact of such partnerships hinges on a delicate balance of relevance, timing, and genuine connection, further emphasizing the shift towards more nuanced and authentic engagements in the realm of fashion marketing and celebrity endorsements.
Puck
The Rise Of Technoauthoritarianism
Silicon Valley's "technoauthoritarianism" manifests a dichotomy between professed Enlightenment values and an underlying, unchecked pursuit of power and influence, disregarding democratic principles and societal well-being. This ideology, veiled in the guise of progress and innovation, increasingly molds our digital and real-world landscapes with little regard for individual rights, privacy, or the broader consequences of technological overreach.
The Atlantic
The embrace of winter hats transcends mere function, evolving into a sartorial statement that channels the timeless elegance of icons like Audrey Hepburn, while catering to the practical demands of colder climates. This millinery moment reflects a broader narrative of fashion where utility meets romanticism, allowing individuals to express their personality and style nuances amidst the bleakness of winter, thus turning a necessity into an opportunity for personal expression and aesthetic innovation.
Coveteur
The article discusses the evolving artistic taste in America and England, particularly in the context of clothing and dress. It critiques the contemporary approach to fashion, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting the human form in dress design. The writer argues that beauty in dress is derived from the harmony of its design with the human figure, rather than from external adornments or fashionable trends. The article advocates for a more thoughtful and artistic approach to clothing, one that values simplicity, proportion, and the natural lines of the body over the transient whims of fashion.
Vestoj
See you tomorrow.
Bye.