Weekend Reads for January 10 & 11
Wednesday evening after dinner, my husband and I sat down to watch some TV and I just felt so edgy and weird. Was it my ADHD meds? Did I consume caffeine too late in the day? I told my husband, asking him why I may be feeling like that. He said, “You just watched a video of a woman being murdered, it could be that.”
Yet another event in our country that would cause us to be horrified if it happened less than a decade ago. If it happened in another country. But it's another day under this administration of trying to make the horrible normal. Trying to break us down and numb us and have us question what we know is truth and just. Another day where we see a video of a person being murdered, and after a GRWM, and after a way to strengthen our pelvic floor, and after a trending line dance, and after an unknown person making fun of the appearance of a celebrity. And after that more violence. It all blurs together and burns our retinas.
I don't have something wide and poignant to say. I question what my purpose and value is on this very busy and very capitalistic virtual side of our world. I question working, but when 9/11 happened, I never questioned my job in retail. I don't know why now I feel guilty for being a salesperson when I don't think I would feel such guilt if I owned a boutique, a personal styling business, a fashion brand, edited a magazine.
So I keep working, but I don't ignore what is going on. And even if you think you're moving on, the body keeps the score. If you're feeling antsy, exhausted, overstimulated, numb, hungry, nauseated… you're not alone. And these feelings can no longer be healed with retail therapy or a red light mask.
I don't know what we can do about our government. We have and continue to protest and call and speak up. But I have found that helping how I can locally feels like I'm making some sort of impact. Look into mutual aid, volunteer at a local organization, fill a community pantry, organize a clothing drive or swap, find a way to create connection and provide support to those who live in your neck of the woods.
Take care of yourselves. Stay hydrated, take naps, take social media breaks, stretch and move, research instead of reacting, and each time you think you want to fight with someone online, take a breath outside. That energy can be better used in other ways and communing with nature and other humans helps regulate our nervous system. Sending all of you love and strength.
Weekend Reads
What happens when disaster recovery becomes a luxury good. (Grist)
How Sweetgreen Became Millennial Cringe. (The Atlantic – gift link)
Why January Is Actually the Best Time to Go Sex Sober. (Vogue)
Robyn Returns With New Album ‘Sexistential’: ‘The Purpose of My Life Is to Stay Horny’. (Rolling Stone)
You know I am always on the hunt for jewelry brands that carry larger than a size 8 ring; just found this ring it goes up to a 10 and I think it's so pretty and will go with everything!
Are contemporary fridges the problem, or is it us? (Taste)
All I Really Need To Know I Learned From Sitcoms. (GenXcellent on Substack)
Mapping New York’s best thrift and vintage stores. (The Souvenierist on Substack)
How cute is this lipstick holder bag charm/keychain?
Welcome to the era of forced fun. (Town & Country)
‘Tis the season where I can't live without this cream. Daytime I wear under sunscreen, nighttime I top with this. Use code OXYGEN20 for 20% off.
I called out Grok for removing women’s clothes, then it removed mine. (Glamour UK)
A reality check on protein requirements, labeling loopholes, and a review of Mel Robbins’ protein shot. (The Vajenda on Substack)
Ran out of this, thought I didn't really need, bought again, forgot how well it works. Gamechanging, especially if in perimenopause. Use code ALISONG for 20% off.
Why I Won't Be Giving ChatGPT Health My Medical Records. (lifehacker)
You’re Not Lazy or Broken. You’re Numbing Out. (Self)
What I Saw When I Peeked Over the Edge of Consciousness. (New York Times – gift link)
Have any of you blessed with big boobs tried this? I am in love with the Verbana color and own the leggings and would love a matched set but don't want retail regret.
Girls don't get to be ugly hot. (Transtrender on Substack)
How ABC’s ‘The Rookie’ became a surprise hit with teens. (LA Times)
Swooning over this metallic cableknit.
Faith Ringgold's Story Quilts Get to the Heart of Being Human. (Hyperallergic)
Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group. (The Cut)
14 Incredible Libraries Worldwide To Visit For Both Their Design & The Stories They Hold. (Service95)
Style Inspo & Sale Alert
Black with shades of burgundy, merlot, and dark red feel very right this time of year. While you may think of pairing navy, gray, or camel with this combo, I love the unexpected pop of a bright red. In the lips, in a scarf, in your gloves, in a pop sock… it can really add impact and elevate your style.
radio city sweater (XXS-3X) | striped pants (XS-XL & petite/long) | silk scarf | double belt | jeans (24-24 & 3 lengths) | boots | sneakers | blazer (XS-1X) | blouse (XS-XL) | lipstick | earrings | skirt (XS-XL & petite) | bag
White House Black Market is having a Flash Sale with an extra 20% off when you spend $150+.
Cadence is having a sale on its Extra Large Parcels. Get 10% off on one, 15% off on two, 20% off on three.
I have the SURI toothbrush and love it. Right now the 1.0 toothbrush is 20% off.
I've really been liking MAKE cosmetics. I find the colors really match my skin well (loving this concealer), appreciate the brow gel comes in a cool dark taupe (so does the pencil which is super finely tipped for a natural effect without effort). And this cheek tint in Inflamed is so bright… but sheer. I do a nickel size dot on the top of my cheek bone under my outer eye and blend and it looks really nice.
I just got a discount code for The Good Patch. I have used these patches for years (took on my cruise, used one to stay up past my bedtime for that gala, put one on this week when I was so wired an tired). Use code ALISONG20 for 20% off.
I also got a code for Lume Deodorant; use code ALISONG for 20% off sitewide.
The latest drop from M.M.LaFleur is the first creative launch of the label's new Design Director, Jenn Cote. What do you think? They're sending me this blazer so I'll be sure to share my thoughts. BTW, use code ALISON15 for 15% off.
See/Hear/Read
I gotta admit, I am watching that hideous Palm Beach show on Netflix. And folks, this show clearly wasn't designed to make these women look good. From the lighting to the pregnant pauses to the shots of Marshall's pricetags on the soles of shoes, I feel as though I am watching a Christopher Guest film. I can't imagine anyone watches this and feels FOMO.
Like, I am a casual watcher of RHOP and RHONY and I must say each episode I open my phone and look up the location of a restaurant or details on a garment or accessory or home decor item because it looks intriguing. I wonder the age of someone not to be snarky but because of something they said that made me question the idea in my head.
But this show? No underdogs, no heroes, no antiheroes, no wondering where they got this or that. Everyone sucks. Their style sucks. Their taste sucks. Their ethics suck. I wouldn't want to go to one of their parties even to People Watch because I wouldn't want to be associated with such drekitude. No thank you, money cannot buy you class or taste or style or charm.
In contrast or as a replacement, check out Palm Royale on Apple TV. It takes place 50 years in the past and is campy as all get out but is a more accurate depiction of wealth in Palm Beach and you'll be Jonesing for all the clothes, the decor, the homes, the cars, the parties, the celebs (hello Patti LuPone as Marjorie Merriweather Post).
The cast will blow you away and when you think it can't get any better, John Stamos will show up in a cowboy hat portraying a part time lawyer/part time gynecologist. The show should be watched for Allison Janey alone. She is like a wealthy sexy Endora and I am living for it.
We're in Season 2 and if you found S1 E1 of Palm Royale hard to get through, push on. It's worth it, even if you watch it on mute. The cast is phenomenal, the storyline utterly ridiculous, the clothes oh the clothes! No need to understand the plot or follow the names of characters, it doesn't matter, you will still be entertained. And it will just make you grossed out by those MAGA West Palm Beachers even more.
Just another photo because the decor deserves a mention. And any wealthy person would have pool houses this nice with some relative (or struggling actor) living in it, hidden rooms and tunnels in the main house, and a sexy bootlegger haunting them, amirite?
Christmas night I went to see Marty Supreme. I did not like Marty Supreme. My teen daughter did. I thought Timothée Chalamet looked like a sweaty rat, my teen thought he looked hot. I felt the film, down to the 80s soundtrack was the 2025/6 equivalent of some hipster nonsense. My teen was crying at the end. I felt the celebrity cameos in Marty Supreme were an ego inflation for Chalamet and a bit more hipster nonsense; my daughter found them novel. I did enjoy seeing Isaac Mizrahi. My teen didn't know how Mizrahi was and it made me question my parenting skills. Do with this as you will.
I have watched a lot of disappointing series in the past year. This week I watched one that I truly enjoyed – His & Hers (Netflix). Starring Tessa Thompson (Dear White People, Passing, Westword) and Jon Bernthal (The Punisher, The Accountant, The Bear), this is a whodunit based on a 2020 Alice Feeney novel that was near impossible to guess before the end.
Bernthal played the same character he always plays, just this time with a half-hearted attempt at a southern accent. But as usual, he was well cast and his typical self was the right fit for the role. Thompson was positively stunning and stole your attention in every scene. I think she too was perfectly cast.
His & Hers has some holes in it, but you don't really care because there's just the right amount of high school drama, grown folk pettiness, sex, competition, fashion (Thompson wears the most gorgeous fabrics and colors), and fascinating supporting characters to keep you engaged. With six episodes and each one under 50 minutes in length, don't be surprised if you binge this in a weekend. BTW, if Priya looks familiar, maybe you remember her from this music video? Sike, Sunita Mani has been in a LOT of things since!
For Your Entertainment
I am not sure if I will continue this section of Weekend Reads for 2026. Do you all care about it? Would you prefer something different? A few have requested a playlist; would you want that on YouTube or somewhere else? I didn't have it last week, but this week I saw Winona Ryder was in the new A$AP Rocky video and felt, well that seemed appropriate for this grown-ass community. But let me know your thoughts!
Warning, this song starts with some yelling of four-letter words; have on the headphones if at the office!
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I really value your entertainment recs! As with fashion, you’re thoughtful and measured but encouraging that we try new things. Thank you!
Alison, I needed this today. What an absolutely horrible week in our country. There really is no bottom for these monsters. Thank you for acknowledging how awful it is but also for encouraging us to find ways to help, push back, and take breaks when we need to.
I enjoy almost every part of WR but I don’t really care about the music part. It’s just not something I’m interested in, but I certainly appreciate that you offer it for those who enjoy it.
I’m glad you mentioned the His & Hers series! I loved the book & will look forward to watching this soon. Today, I’ve watched several episodes of Season 5 of Emily in Paris (Rome). I needed something light hearted and that doesn’t require me to think too much.
Hahahaha – your review of Marty Supreme. I like the FYE. Not always my cup of tea, but I’ve discovered some new artists through you.
A friend invited us to her place for NYE but then announced “forced fun” whereby everyone was ordered to play a noisy game for hours in pre-defined groups with people they barely knew. I refused, waited an hour in another room, and when it became clear the game was not done we simply told her we were leaving. My friend was furious. She considered that refusing to participate was bad manners. I think that trying to bully people to play noisy games with strangers is exceptionally bad manners. If you don’t trust guests to converse with each other on topics of their choice then why the hell have you invited those people into your house?!
Just when you think it can’t feel worse about the state of things, along comes that Grok article. I can’t even fully process this horror.
It’s hard not to feel and fall into despair…. this second time around.
Last year we built and installed in our front yard a “Free Little Art Gallery” Leave Art. Take Art. Enjoy Art. #thejoyofart
We put my husband’s paintings in there and my different crafty/art projects; and, have been astounded at the interaction and response from neighbors and strangers. From the participation of others leaving their art, to notes of gratitude, to ‘donations’ to help pay for supplies, to people taking care of the gallery when inclement weather happens. It’s been a source of joy for us and, happily, others.
The tiny pebble skips across the water creating soft ripples that gently changes how we see it all. It’s my tiny pebble.
My thoughts regarding your FYE section are that while it usually is not what I would seek to listen to, it’s good to explore everything outside my comfort zone. Sometimes I like it and sometimes I don’t – but that should in no way limit your enjoyment and sharing of it.
One foot in front of the other, keep moving forward all. xo
I lo
I enjoy the weekend reads. Actually, especially the books and tv shows/movies you review. I have watched several shows that I would not have without your recommendations; btw most if not all reviews were dead on for me. I hope you will continue this section in the future.
I like the FYE segment. I’ve been making an effort to try to find pop music I like because I just knew there was still good music being made, and there is!
Please do not doubt your value or contribution to this world. Your writing, your voice, is so meaningful in so many ways. Your fashion, style, and product advice are well thought out and both realistic and aspirational for grown ass women. Your political and social commentary and questioning are respectful and push us to think and do better. You speak my mind, ground me, and gently prod me. Weekend Reads brings it all together, and I read every word every week, including the music recommendations, even when I don’t click through.
It is not an exaggeration to say I value your work as much as Heather Cox Richardson’s. In different ways, but for similar reasons. You both provide perspective and hope with a strong dose of keeping it real and DO SOMETHING. Please don’t get discouraged. By all means, take a break or even stop if you just can’t anymore, but know that you make a difference, even when you feel like just a salesperson. You are so much more than that.
Thanks for the reminder that doing something locally can keep you grounded and help with the despair. I pick up trash (get one of those grabbers from the hardware store).
And I love the new Substack! Especially enjoyed your review of what you regretted buying.
I live in Minneapolis, within walking distance of where Renee Good was killed.
It has been a brutal week. It was already a brutal week even before she was shot. I have seen my neighbors kidnapped by ICE. When I was walking to the vigil for Good, we passed a woman standing on her front steps. We talked to her for a few minutes, and she told us that in the afternoon she had witnessed ICE agents chasing people down the street in front of her house. She just shook her head and went inside, too afraid to go to the vigil. I’ve been helping to pack food boxes at our local elementary school, where the PTO has organized an effort to deliver food to families who are scared to leave their houses to get groceries. While we were packing food, we sent a few people to costco to pick up some extra things; when they got to costco, there were ICE agents there abducting people. (I say “kidnapped” and “abducting” because they don’t have warrants, they don’t show ID, their faces are covered. These are not arrests.)
I know that the federal government is moving more agents here from Chicago and Louisiana. They are cutting us off from SNAP benefits. This all feels like an intentional effort to provoke a reaction that will allow them to punish us further.
I am terrified. I’m still going out to protest, I’m still patrolling in my neighborhood, I’m still volunteering. But I am so very scared.
That said! I came to your site today because life does go on. I look forward to reading your updates here, and I appreciate your honesty and authenticity (not just in politics!). And fwiw, I enjoy your music picks because I have no teenagers and it’s hard to discover new artists.
While I enjoy your content, I do have to admit that I scroll past the music section each week. Everything else is very fun though!
I like your music shares. I’ve found several new favorite bands and artists. YouTube playlists would be fun. Thanks for all you do!
“ I don’t know what we can do about our government”
I know you know this (you’re an election worker after all). But Tues, 3 Nov is the midterm election. All 435 House seats are on the ballot, and 1/3 of the Senate seats are. You can donate. Volunteer. Which thanks to the internet is no longer limited to a local candidate. (Good when you live in a blood red state like me. Helping flip a currently red seat in say California counts as 1 more seat towards a Democratic majority just as much as flipping a red seat in Alabama does. Only more likely/economical.). IAT to candidates & parties, I donate to Vote Riders. Their purpose is to help people register to vote. This includes providing transportation & helping with documentation requirements. They are non partisan. Card Campaign for Democracy provides talking points that you can print on postcard-sized cards. Then you just distribute them where you shop, eat, get your entertainment. They are great for red areas.
They WANT us to feel helpless. But scholars on facism, such as Ruth Ben Ghiat & Timothy Snyder, are speaking & writing about we’re not helpless & what we can do. I nominate historian Heather Cox Richardson as the Thomas Paine of our time. I find her to be positive, rather than the doom & gloom of the merchants of rage seeking clicks. And she puts TODAY into perspective of our history. How today is rhyming. And how we got thru times like this before & can again. She writes Letters from an American on substack. She also has a YouTube channel where she expands on this. She has such a calming presence. And she’s just started a series on the Battle of the Bulge. I’m impatiently waiting for part 2 to drop.
And finally, I read that Steny Hoyer is retiring. I know he’s represented you forever & was a favorite of your mom. It’ll be a big change. Almost feels like a moment of silence should be observed.
And I don’t know why, but my Substack feed was stuck on 12/12 just now. On HCR’s letter on Doug Jones’s formal announcement that he’s running for governor. The threads of history that this is linked to.
And this jumped out. I think I was meant to share it:“Progressivism is as deeply rooted in American history as reaction.”
I love seeing the music updates! I’ve found some fun bands through you and hope you will continue to share.