Souvenirs #4
What it’s like to be super rich in NYC, poetry to tear your heart out, and a born-again lobster shares their truth.
Hello and happy Friday! I cannot believe we’re staring down the final 10 days of September—truly absurd how fast this year has gone. My family has a quiet weekend ahead, which is very welcome since a slew of booked ones will follow.
In the meantime, I’m sending along another volume of Souvenirs, chock full of great reads, delightful rabbit holes, and all the things that have been occupying my brain space. Substack tells me it might be too long for your Inbox, so open this one up in your browser if we get disconnected.
Enjoy, and happy weekend!!
Reading:
1 / Unsexy things are surprisingly great.
2 / What it’s like to be exorbitantly rich in New York City. This was a very interesting interview, and I enjoyed reading more from its subject.
3 / On struggling to learn French as an adult.
4 / I have been known to peruse popular Reddit threads. This one, titled “I think I was a lobster in a past life. Ask me anything,” really sent me. Read through the threads for a dose of the absurd, the delightful, the metaphysical, the memorable.
5 / Culture Study takes on the Taylor and Brittany photos, with a great discussion of how civility works in modern culture.
6 / The man who couldn’t stop going to college.
7 / For real estate escapism, I enjoyed touring this beautiful Charleston home renovation. And, if you need more renovation eye candy, don’t miss this before and after series of an old carriage house from Philly-based designer Naomi Stein.
8 / Do you have an elementary or middle school-aged child? Perhaps these new drop-off and pick-up rules will resonate.
9 / New Substack to know: Trash Panic! Loved her recent round-up of Dôen-esque frocks and accessories, all secondhand finds.
10 / A super interesting, very deep dive into the subtext of Sabrina Carpenter’s ascent. (Maybe don’t read this one on your work computer!)
Mention it All: Links from the Bravoverse
1 / We love a comeback! The Times featured a profile on former Summer House-r Hannah Berner, and her rising comedic star.
2 / Remember when Luann wanted Bethenny to refer to her as Mrs. De Lesseps in front of other people? LOL.
3 / Earlier this summer, Jenna Lyons threw a closet sale.
4 / In other NY news, the Times also followed Erin Lichy around. I wonder how typical this typical day was?
Shopping:
1 / Jigsaw puzzles, because my child can’t get enough of them.
2 / This jacket and this sweater, both winners.
3 / An original copy of The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, found on eBay for $5 (and here’s another copy, similarly priced). I read somewhere (was it the big New Yorker profile?) that her publisher is releasing a 25th anniversary edition of the book alongside her new memoir, and realized I kinda wanted the original thing. I’m hearing Ina speak next month and can’t wait! Oh, and the cookbook—still slaps. Twenty five years later, and the recipes feel classic yet current, and totally devour-able.
4 / This picture frame. (Etsy, natch.)
Honestly, little else. I think I’m in a season of “enough” over here. More on that next week. (!!!)
Listening, Watching:
1 / Listened to Caro Claire Burke’s TikTok takes on TradWife stuff. PS, she has a book coming out next year called YESTERYEAR which sounds so great, and I can’t wait to read it. Hollywood agrees.
2 / Musician Max Richter talking about music. Here’s the track that scores the video! So beautiful.
3 / This video on Canadian Geese which filled me with joy and sadness and anger and wonder.
4 / Via , this absolutely bananas video. There’s no setting this one up, just…omg. 🥐
The Writers Block
I’ve noticed some followers who are fellow writers (hello! welcome! what are you working on?), and decided I’d share some craft and publishing industry links here when I can! In this edition of The Writers Block:
1 / Maggie Smith on assembling a manuscript.
2 / Tony Tulathimutte’s profile in The New York Times Magazine. His workshop CRIT has me intrigued.
3 / PSA from : Apply for the thing!
4 / All the things Agents & Books creator Kate McKean has done wrong in her latest book.
5 / Late on sharing, but—earlier this year, shared a series of fantastic newsletters about interiority. Find the series here, here and here.
6 / And this:
Writing is a side effect of living, not the other way around. There are years that are for listening and reading and not producing that much. Sometimes doing your work is a critical and life-sustaining act, and other times writing is just something you’re hiding in; our creative lives can be valuable, they are not the only thing. — “Making a Living,” by Catherine Lacey
Bookmarking:
Poetry on Instagram. Here are some recent ones that made me go 😮💨
Top image by Hari Nandakumar via Unsplash
Thanks for the mention Victoria!