sunday edition no. 11: march digest
the best things I saw, read, heard, ate and shopped this month, including a la scala chopped salad dupe, the only detergent i'll buy now, and a re-read of my favorite book.
Hello and welcome to the monthly digest - one of my favorite features to write - where I round up all the best things I’ve been watching, reading, eating, listening, shopping, and so on and so forth. March has felt surreal, stretching on and on without end. My brain can’t comprehend that this month I’ve had 2 weekends at home, 2 weekends unexpectedly in or en route to Europe, and (as of the time of writing) *still another weekend to go*. Maybe it’s just because February was gone in an instant, but this is simply an unacceptable amount of time for a month to last, and I for one am very ready to move on to April and real spring.
A few quick pieces of housekeeping:
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Hope you and yours are well, and that if you’re observing any of the myriad of holidays this weekend your time is full of light and love.
xx
watching:
I was startled by how long this list was, but then I remembered that I took a solo flight to Europe without my toddler and it all made sense again. I watched So! Many! Things!
movies:
Priscilla - Sofia Coppola’s examination of the famous relationship between Elivs and Priscilla Presley. Beginning when she was just 14, the relationship and the film chart an uneasy course. Priscillia is swept up and carried along in Elvis’ orbit until their eventual marriage (and subsequent divorce). It’s a much more critical look at Elvis’ own problematic behavior than the Bax Lurman / Austin Butler biopic: as with many of Coppala’s films, Priscilla’s whirlwind fairy tale quickly becomes a privileged, gilded cage. It’s a visually beautiful, emotionally unsettling movie.
The Marsh King’s Daughter - The Marsh King, a notorious criminal who abducted a young woman and brought her to the woods to be his bride, raised their young daughter Helena in the woods. The mother makes a daring escape, risking everything to get her young daughter to safety. Years later, Helena (Daisy Ridley)’s life is turned upside down when the Marsh King escapes from prison, intent on returning his family to the woods.
Dune (part I) - Denis Villeneuve’s take on Frank Herbert’s science fiction epic. I loved the first film, and took the opportunity to re-watch while soaking in the XXL tub in my hotel in Portugal. 12000/10 would recommend.
Tenet - Tenet is heavy on the plot and special effects, existing in a world where the future has declared war on the past because of climate change, relying on a technology that moves people and objects backward through time. The result is a puzzle box of a movie that I’m still not sure I completely understand after a second watch but enjoyed while on a plane nonetheless. Personally love to see Robert Pattinson thriving on his nerdy little projects.
The Eras Tour, Disney+ - As someone who did *not* attend the Eras tour (despite seeing almost the whole thing on tiktok), was excited to finally see the whole thing end to end. I’ll say this: you certainly have to respect the hustle and the cardio.
TV
One Day, Netflix. The story of a 20 year relationship is told through snapshots of the same day in successive years. I don’t always love the romcom genre, but y’all this one GOT ME. It was charming, witty, and I was absolutely gutted by the ending, despite having already known what was coming (Iiterally sent a photo of me sobbing to the group chat as proof) . If you love a warm fuzzy, also highly recommend this real “one day” story.
The Gentleman, Netflix. An aristocratic second son unexpectedly inherits his family estate - only to find that his father had been allowing a marijuana empire to grow beneath their failing dairy farm. (full disclosure: this was Mark’s pick after a streak of letting me decide what to watch. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a Guy Ritchie show, but I’m always happy to see Theo James).
Did not finish: It’s rare that I intentionally don’t finish something that I start: I had been extremely excited about The New Look (Apple TV+) , a period drama supposedly detailing the feud between Christian Dior and Coco Chanel after World War II. But while the trailers promised fashion, the episodes were largely a grueling meander through Nazi occupied France, with gratuitous scenes of violence and a curious artistic decision to make noted Nazi collaborator Coco Chanel the more active and engaged storylines. I tried, and I bailed.
Currently watching: Palm Royale (Apple TV+), and True Detective Season 1 (HBO MAX)
reading:
Already looking forward to longer spring and summer days, and the very long walks that I take with my dog and my toddler around the lake near our house, and the uninterrupted audiobook time this brings me - It’s a huge part of how I was able to read 45 books last year despite, you know, having a job and a kid and friends. sharing some current in-progress reads, as well as the open tabs of essays, articles, and other pieces that have stuck with me this month.
Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff- one of my favorite books of all time, which I love to revisit every so often. Is there any interest in a book club? Would be thrilled to discuss this one!
Heir of Fire, by Sarah J. Maas - after crushing the entire A Court of Thorns and Roses series in six weeks last year, I’ve been slowly meandering my way through the Throne of Glass series (mostly as I try to get off the holds list at the library in the correct order - harder than you would expect). I enjoyed Heir of Fire (book three) quite a bit more than I enjoyed Crown of Midnight (book two), and am contemplating just buying Queen of Shadows (book four) so I don’t have to wait the sixteen weeks until it’s available at Seattle Public Library. (editor’s note: reader I did do that - it’s a perfect audiobook and multitask series).
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose. I was unexpectedly delighted by The Maid (book one) in this series when my book club selected it last year, and so when I saw there was book two I Immediately reserved it. Molly is a neurodivergent young woman who’s love of order and etiquette makes her perfectly suited for a role in hospitality. When a famous author is found dead in her hotel, Molly is on the case.
Up next: The Future Future. And Memory Piece
kids books:
Just when I think toddlers couldn’t get cuter, they get *excited* about books and then your heart just melts all over again. A few we’re loving right now:
The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats - Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snow of the year. Currently little bear’s favorite book, despite the obvious seasonal disconnect
Our Little Adventures: Stories Featuring Foundational Language Concepts for Growing Minds by Tabitha Paige. My mom got us this sweet set of illustrated books for my baby shower, and it’s so heartwarming to me how much our little guy LOVES them. The three books each have a different foundational language concept (spatial, quantity and colors + counting words), gorgeous nature illustrations, and community oriented narratives. Little Bear reaches for them multiple times a day, and it’s amazing to see him point out flowers, pinecones and other things in the book in real life.
Hide and Seek, Little Chameleon! By Anita Bijsterbosh. Play hide and seek (and learn colors and counting) with a little color changing Chameleon! We love pointing out where the little lizard is hiding.
open tabs:
once again, a rapid-fire look at the essays, newsletters, articles and other works that I have loved, saved, and can’t stop thinking about.
- The practice of half assing things - when nonessential acts end up feeling quite essential.
- - Division of labor how two parents working in tech with two kids under 3 make it work.
- Is the internet making me useless? Can the revolution be captured on the timeline or in the newsletter?
- I let the reddit girlies roast me. Are you in the rich bitch bubble?
My Anxiety is constantly asking what’s wrong with me?
Bad news for the athleisure girlies: Outdoor Voices is reportedly set for Bankruptcy Amid Activewear Struggles
Related(?): Sweetgreen is building a “Spotify for food” I mean, okay, sure?
- - The Beauty of What Is - a striking examination of the paths our lives can take, in the context of irrevocable life decisions. Comforting, thought provoking, and something I return to often.
Why you should think of Andrew Huberman as a Dr. Oz type.
This round up of things to read covering the spectrum of parenting memoirs to historical suspense novels and a reexamination of reproductive care in America there is something for everyone!
The viral The Cut article of the month is about age gap relationships (and really, it’s about marrying rich) - by the same author and equally as divisive: My Beautiful Friend.
newsletters i’m loving rn:
I love
’s for all things fashion. Her discussion with her Gen Alpha daughter about what “preppy” means was a fascinating look at how trends change and morph.I absolutely LOVE
After School newsletter - a daily round up of youth consumer insights and culture round up. I read it without fail everyday, and find it helpful for work *and* personal interest.
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