Lovin' Lately no. 17
and the Holiday party outfit my friend put together that I bought immediately
Hi! Danielle Wraith here! The Second Act is the weekly newsletter I always wanted in my inbox, packed with obsessively-curated recommendations, thoughtful reflections on books, feelings, life, and the art of making room for more. Whether you're seeking inspiration or connection. The Second Act offers a warm, inviting space for all.
Imagine we’re catching up over coffee and I’m gushing over what I’ve been Lovin’ Lately…
💿 ‘PATTERNS’ by Kelsea Ballerini: On a recent road trip, we drove up to the Sierras, alternating between easy pop (Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams) and moodier releases (like Soccer Mommy’s new album, ‘Evergreen’). Kelsea Ballerini’s latest release feels like a middle ground between the two, a reflective breakup album that’s softer than her explosive EP on the heels of her divorce. If country isn’t your thing, I put together a micro-playlist for “moody girl autumn.”
📺 Lonely Planet on Netflix: It’s either rose-colored glasses or the Nobody Wants This rom com high I’ve been riding but ummmmmmm. Netflix has done it again. Laura Dern plays Katherine Loewe, an established author who goes on a writer’s retreat in Morocco to get away from her toxic ex and meet the fast-approaching deadline for her next book. There, she meets Owen (played by Liam Hemsworth), who is a finance bro (private equity, obviously the worst kind), who is there to tag along with his girlfriend, Lily, who’s a debut novelist who has written a beach read that unexpectedly became a bestseller overnight. Owen is feeling bit like a fish out of water whilst in Morocco with all of these big-deal authors with their Flaubert and their Nobel prizes and their very serious facial hair. Until…he meets Katherine. Who sees him. Like, really sees him! Straight into his soul, which has so much more depth than all his firm’s coal mine acquisitions combined. I’m sure she also sees his six-pack. I’m just half-way through, but let’s just say that she seems to be an asset that he will appreciate. (Side note: There appears to be an older woman dating a younger man trend happening, right?)
📚 Ina Garten’s memoir: It was fantastic on audio. Can’t recommend it enough! Ina Garten is the epitome of a domestic goddess, the original coastal grandmother, and, if I may, a spiritual patron saint of The Second Act—or at least, of my soul. This woman knows cozy. Her chocolate cake recipe is still one of the best I’ve made (Ina’s secret ingredient is coffee). Yet, despite her iconic status, I didn’t know much about her personal life until I listened to her audiobook. It amazed me to learn that she wrote her first cookbook at 52—after selling her Hamptons store, Barefoot Contessa, at 50, thinking her career was over. In her words, “It hadn’t even started yet.”
So, I was invited to a holiday party in a few weeks, and the thought of finding a dress had me dragging my feet. I won’t know anyone there besides my date, it’s at a winery (outdoors!), and I have no idea just how fancy I need to be. Then, earlier this week—at a total surprise, my angel of a friend Bekah swooped in with a text that began with, “This dresssssss”—and a link. She didn’t stop there, either; she also sent these shoes and the cutest little purse to match. She practically built the whole outfit for me, leaving me with just one step: click “add to cart” and check out. She didn’t even know I was looking for this outfit! I was beyond grateful since I’d been debating what to wear but hadn’t found a thing! Truly, the best surprise.
Sharing a few of my saves and other faves bc cool girls don’t gatekeep
Love this whimsical linen tissue box cover
Made me laugh — Horoscopes, meet horror scoops
Everyone’s talking about Adam Brody as the “hot rabbi” in Nobody Wants This but… have you seen that Leighton Meester (his wife/Blair/Queen B) will be in the next season of The Buccaneers?! (Admittedly a terrible show, but one that I will watch!)
Speaking of Nobody Wants This, I appreciated this perspective on the portrayal of Jewish women in the show from Rich Text
Ruby Tandoh wrote for The New Yorker about…Allrecipes, “America’s most unruly cooking website.” So true!!! A gem of a quote: "The site has a 4.5-star mac-and-cheese recipe posted under the username g0dluvsugly."
My go to lip duo - lip liner (flush) and and a lip balm (hot cocoa) that provide the perfect flush pout!
If you read ALL FOURS — Miranda July and Esther Perel recorded a podcast together
Ten Things To Experience In Italy Before You Die (Life Lived Italian) — “Lemon trees. Extra points for nearby jasmine. Taken together, it’s how paradise must smell.”
“She got her PhD in Diet Coke.”
Goldfish has temporarily rebranded, changing their name to “Chilean Sea Bass” to “highlight its adult appeal”. I don’t think anyone among us adults is averse to Goldfish because of their existing brand positioning, so this seems a little unnecessary… but go off I guess
We are getting an ADULT CLIQUE BOOK!! Major major news for lit girls everywhere
The Cut introduced “Book Gossip”, a newsletter by Emily Gould, to tackle all things book news like “unusual or just plain weird coverage of the big new releases you’ve already heard too much about”. Interesting. You can subscribe here
Stanley and E.L.F. are dropping matching tumblers + attachable lip gloss holders. Par for the course with the accessorization revolution
You guy’s loved Noah Kahan’s collab with Ben & Jerry’s - he’s continuing the streak of intentional partnerships with classic New England brands, this time with L.L. Bean
J.Crew launched a collection with Christopher John Rogers. I really enjoyed the collection page on J.Crew’s site - it interestingly doesn’t take you right to the products, but takes you through the storytelling + “behind the design” first through text, images, and video. Really fascinating to see in e-commerce and a testament to the intention they put behind their partnerships
Alright, see ya next week! Leave me a comment on anything you’d like me to include in Lovin’ Lately in the future… Day in the life details? What’s on my TBR? Fave spots in Fresno? Got a question? Lemme know!
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