#brightsiding Week in Review

HELLO GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GIRLS! (+ et all)

Good news - I’ve tired myself out on personal essays for the time being and today, I’m getting back to the root of Brightsiding with some good ole fashioned segments. Remember the early days?? Ahhh, it’s fun to be back in mid-2010s-blogger-cosplay mode.

While I’m here, can I just say a huge thank you to every single one of you for opening these emails every week? I’m so in love with this project and sharing my life with you like this. I feel like a nontoxic-Carrie-Bradshaw x grown-up-Jenna-Rink x a sprinkle of Jess-from-New-Girl, and god, that’s a killer combo.

The world seems to be more on fire than ever, and that’s not lost on me. To anyone impacted by the recent hurricanes, or with family in seemingly expanding conflict zones throughout the world, or those of you just struggling to know where to point your antenna - I see you. I love you. My biggest PSA in this moment? Register to vote. Do something nice for someone in your community. When the world feels overwhelming, I find that the best thing you can do is open your eyes to even the smallest thing you can do to lift the spirits of those around you … maybe, it’s truly as simple as making eye contact with your barista and legitimately thanking them.

Anyway, thanks for being here … here’s my week in review.

Lately, I’ve been living up to my Instagram Bio and going on Natural Sunlight walks any chance I can. Fall in New York is hitting its crescendo, and my favorite times of day are 11am and, like, 5pm. I’m just trying to be outside as much as I can — and when I’m not, I’m enjoying the sun I can get from inside my apartment or Beverly’s, where I’ve been shopgirling. (I’m there most weekends 12-7, come say hi!)

I consume so much content, but here’s what’s really made me think this week…

1. DID YOU KNOW THERE IS A POST SCRIPT TO NORMAL PEOPLE BY SALLY ROONEY??? IS THIS THE HOLY GRAIL OF THE INTERNET??? It’s a short short story that follows up with Connell and Marianne a few years later.

2. The Metropolitan Diaries are making me smile and providing some levity.

3. Chani Nicholas is always serving realness on a silver platter. It’s not always pretty, but she’s telling it like it is.

4. I read On The Move by Oliver Sacks in - I’m not even kidding you - two days flat. I felt incredibly endeared to him - he was a true champion of the people and a beautifully complex man.

5. Also, bonus (not pictured) - recently I had the pleasure of meeting Chelsea, the host of Real Life Magic. I listened to her interview with Rob Bell on the walk to my first writer’s workshop this week, and it couldn’t have been better timing. Check it out!

Sartorially … am I peaking? I might be.

Here’s what’s in constant rotation: silk skirt + top, loafers, MoMA hat, affordable trend-denim (I’m a big proponent of snagging a piece of trend-denim every season … sue me), this lil cashmere number (similar), loafers, Vans, and ballet flats. And … my beloved leather All Saints jacket (similar) that Caroline handed down to me last year. Accessories: been rocking my tried & true APC bag (similar), and just got a new phone case.

From top left:

My soul sister Megan stayed with me for a few days this week. I met Cecilia’s pup Trudy (oh my lorddddd). I watched Sleeping Beauty (the visuals of this movie are a drug to me). I’m sampling the Discovery Kit from Alice Mushrooms … and I’m obsessed (use promo code BOGS15 for 15% off!!!). I’ve been subsisting almost exclusively on Oni Giri from Merci Market. And the bob got a refresh! If you’re in NYC, Bri has been in charge of my hair for 8 years now.

The worst part of the week was spending 5 hours at Verizon, but … we’re all good now, and you know what? The folks that helped me were so patient and deserve a noble prize for the sh*t they have to deal with. Something good to do, even after a frustrating situation??? Leave a Google review and shout the people who help you out by name!

Things that kept me grounded this week … which I highly recommend …

1) I’ve been writing down everything I did at the end of each day. Kind of like a reverse to-do-list? The little things really add up.

2) MAKING HEARTY BREAKFASTS! I got the Dutch Griddle Cakes from Trader Joes and I’ve been making McGriddles at home with chicken sausage patties + scrambled eggs. SO GOOD. I also love drinking coffee out of this Peter Shire mug that’s on loan from my brother.

3) Maxine and I are addicted to the Contrast Suite at SkyTing. Cold Plunge + Sauna + Gossip? Medicinal. I made a TikTok about it a few weeks ago … check it out!

1. Loeffler Randall Jeans (SCREAM)

2. Kate Spade Pizza Bag (I DIE)

3. Kacey Musgraves x Reformation Top (s/o Ricks for sending me this collection)

4. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (waiting to finish my current TBR pile …)