The Edition: No. 372
Jan 19, 2024
In a letter to his 17-year-old daughter:
“… you have given us so much more happiness than discontent — in a ratio of roughly a million to one — that we shall never be able to reward you adequately for having entered our lives. We wanted you, took measures to have you, got you — and are forever the winners.” // Dalton Trumbo
+ Is there a right kind of busy?
+ WFH Musts: This collarless cardigan and these slouchy pants.
+ Cancel your plans. You’re making these cookies tonight.
+ This Sezane sheer, embroidered blouse is so good that I own two colors.
+ Why decluttering seems impossible (gift link), and what to do after a wardrobe cleanout.
+ Amazon Order List: Kid-proof stain lifter, insulated glass mugs, Kyle’s hair cream.
+ The advice you need if you’re looking to go freelance.
+ Do not sleep on this affordable, water-resistant trench coat.
+ On hyper consumption and sexism — Welcome to Stanley land.
+ Old Navy has this incredible sweater dress in black and spring colors.
+ What to try when you’re having trouble getting out of bed.
+ Treasure & Bond has the best shirts. This v-neck top is awesome for work (from home).
+ When you want to be hybrid but the boss wants you in the office.
+ Screw up your eyeliner? Erase it with this corrector pen.
+ One Interesting Read. An estranged friend showed up in the questioners walking group, how does she maintain the friend group with an “enemy” in her midst?
This discussion from Reshma Saujani at Davos discusses why leaning in, getting a mentor, and doing the career dance only goes so far in America. We are the only industrialized nation without paid leave and without a daycare safety net, and it’s holding women back. I’ve notice it in my own career — the days I have to stop work to care for an ill child or place a Target order for formula and diapers or stop what I’m doing to tend to her needs. This discussion is finally going mainstream, and it needs to be raised more.
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I spend way too much brain space thinking about how the childcare crisis would be alleviated so drastically if we had a year of paid leave (fewer kids needing care, fewer caregivers needed because no small infants requiring low caregiver ratios), not to mention the impact it would have on employee morale and stress. I didn’t really start feeling like myself again until my guy was a year old. It’s such a turning point.
I too spend too much brainspace thinking about maternal care and childcare. Esp since my dad’s side of the family is from Denmark and my mom’s from Japan. Such different experiences to me in America.
I was exceptionally lucky that a family member is a full time caregiver to my one year old. Both me and my husband have very “child friendly” jobs and bosses.
But my 3 year old’s preschool tuition is more than my mortgage. It’s insane. And his teachers are wonderful but I’m sure they are making minimal wage 🙁
What sticks out to me is how “anti capitalistic’ is is to NOT have affordable childcare and taking huge productivity away from the population. I was watching a documentary about Japan (and they certainly have problems too, don’t get me wrong) – but the govt decided they wanted as many people to work as possible, so they made affordable. childcare options. It makes so much sense to me. And makes no sense why we have NO mat leave and NO childcare here.
I own the Sezane blouse in ecru but haven’t worn it yet because I can’t figure out what to wear under it. Any suggestions, please?
As the parent of a toddler, Reshma Saujani’s comments resonate. I see how undervalued caregiving is in our country. It blows my mind a bit because, if for no other reason, parents and other caregivers are raising the next generation who will care for us and our country. Parents, other caregivers, and our children deserve the best of our resources, not to be chronically overworked and under-resourced.
As one half of a same-sex couple, I’ve also noticed how quickly my heterosexual counterparts fall into gendered parenting roles and are not even aware of the extent of it. And our culture reinforces them. So when a woman is expected to perform caregiving tasks, I think it’s on all of us to ask why. I notice that same-sex couples talk more frankly about sharing caregiving tasks and re-balance when things get uneven, as they inevitably do. I also attribute the fact that both my wife and I could take the same amount of parental leave and spend time as primary caregivers as critical to understanding and sharing the load.
I own the collarless cardigan in black and I’ve worn it so much. It’s super warm and got me through a visit to NY in November.
Love the Old Navy sweater dress- pastels are my vibe and I’m excited about a cozy option that isn’t black, white, or taupe! Do you have any tips for styling it in a way that leans chic and streamlined? I love the flare since most sweater dresses end up more bodycon that I’m comfortable with, but I’m concerned it could easily look frumpy with the extra fabric.
How is the Sezane sizing? I’m a US 14.
I find it runs small, especially in the arms.