Welcome to THE WEEKENDER, your weekly dispatch full of ~Saturday spirit~! I fill you in briefly on the week, share a few Little Luxuries that make the mundane feel special and save the best for last with some Brain Food to mull over, expand your horizons, or discuss with your friends over a cappuccino. There are usually lots of links and pictures which perhaps will get clipped if you’re reading in your inbox— click here to read in browser!
Happy Saturday! I was a woman about town this week, I feel like the LIRR is my home now. Sometimes it takes a while for me to start my engine, but an object in motion stays in motion— at time of writing I am running on not so much sleep but a lot of coffee and I feel awesome. Reconsidering my plans to stay in tonight, maybe I should get margaritas?
Small wins from my week:
I saw Lily Allen in concert! She was excellent, she looked and sounded flawless— West End Girl is one of the best divorce albums of our time, IMO.
I had the best work date/meeting of the minds with friend of the letter, Ali Kriegsman! I adore Ali and we have a freakish amount of things in common (Californian former marketplace founders with an affinity for writing Substacks and fiction… and also being a freak in the spreadsheets?). We both wore bug-eyed sunglasses we scored on eBay and it felt important to document.
Speaking of eBay… I won an auction on the writing contraption I’ve been THIRSTING for. I can’t believe it. It’s here and I haven’t had time to use it yet, but when better than a long weekend to do so?
I love this long-sleeve artist-designed tee, and proceeds go to Iranian humanitarian aid. You will see me wearing it this fall!! It is (for better or worse?) on sale.
Having been recently converted to loving AYR’s perfect jeans, I will be carving out some time this weekend to scour their up-to-60%-off sale… I have my eye on this tailored, dark denim jacket and I keep coming back to these (comfy, WFH appropriate) pants.
First Rodeo readers seem to be delighted whenever there is a Farm Rio sale, so I am chuffed to tell you that their end-of-season sale is an extra 20% off.
I get most excited about sales on practical things... It’s a good time to check out my go-to, Thirdlove. They’re doing a pretty big discount (30% off and an extra 25% off) and they do a half-cup size which is really handy.
Another random practical sale find: my fancy, sustainable, design-forward toothbrush. It mounts to your mirror, gets rid of the icky and sticky drippage on the bathroom sink and has compostable brush head replacements. Hearty endorsement from me! Many of my friends and both my parents use the same one too. (I’m not sure if you can stack my discount code with the sale, but try code AZORA if you are so inclined.)
The art I was feeling most inspired by this week (above) was Alexander Roslin’s (1718-1793) intricate and detailed paintings of embroidery.
ICYMI: this week I brought you the very best back to school supply inspo for polished, professional grown ups. And last week’s August Edit with reads, recs, recipes and life updates!
Speaking of recipes, this weekend I’m making Meredith Hayden’s Pumpkin Espresso Snack Cake. Longtime readers will remember that I am a pumpkin spice connoisseur, this is my professional expertise showing. You can and should expect further programming on this topic.
I’ve been binging the craziest podcast and it’s consumed me, my best friend, and my husband fully: listen to Love Trapped for the kookiest scammer story I’ve ever heard. It’s freaky, so be warned. (Thank you to Ali Kriegsman for putting me on to this! Is there any better feeling than getting sucked into an interesting WEIRD phenomenon?)
Writers, some fall inspiration for you: Caroline Beuley has 25 new writing prompt ideas for us.
I love this so much.
