Monday, Monday: October 19, 2026

When I was 27 years old, blogging from the rust-colored couch in my studio apartment, I assumed that, by my 40s, I would have my career figured out. But truthfully, I think that naive kid knew more about who she was, what she wanted, and how she would get it than I do. Perhaps because it’s easy to have clear vision when you have no spouse, no child, no mortgage, and nothing to lose. The ignorance and arrogance of youth is gasoline.

When you believe you can do it and think anyone who doesn’t agree is a fool, that mindset can carry you far if you’re willing to lean into it. Take a few stumbles, taste the bitterness of failure, feel the full weight of what you are risking, and that fuel loses its potency. Sometimes, I find myself asking, “What would she do?” But then, I remember that I am not her. I do not possess her determination, her long runway, or her freedom. Because as beautiful as motherhood is, it is also a burden.

“What Motherhood Cost Us” from The New York Times perfectly encapsulates the predicament that society has placed us in. As for how to solve it (or even just escape), I have few answers. Channeling my inner, unbridled 27-year-old (who on paper looks a lot like the unencumbered freedom afforded to men in this life) seems unlikely to fix my predicament. But, ladies, it would be fun. Even if only for a moment.

Continuing Legal Education. The bane of my existence. I’m trying to finish all of my 2026 CLE credits in October so I’m not scrounging in December, listening to CLEs when I’m supposed to be sleeping like I was in 2024. I have 15 left (8.25 for WA, plus an additional 6.75 for MT), and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Today’s CLE of choice: College Athletics and NIL. Way more interesting than the Evidence Rules refresher I watched yesterday.

Maybe we should set up a CapHillStyle CLE weekend and let readers volunteer to teach the subject of their choosing. We could book ourselves into a spa and knock out our hours at the same time. Wouldn’t that be lovely?

Duped. I finally broke and bought both sweaters people say are dupes for The Row’s much-beloved Ophelia sweater. This one from Tuckernuck and this one from Sold Out are both winging their way to me (though I’m on the waitlist for the oxblood color I really wanted). Will report back.

Wool for Him, Plastic for Us. @rsbrownfield stumbled upon something rotten in the Abercrombie sweater department. The men got 100% Merino Wool sweaters. The women got plastic-wool blends, or cotton-blend sweaters shelved with the Merino Wool to confuse in store buyers. Who knew the patriarchy was making sweaters? I thought their business was limited to selling pants without usable pockets.

Organizable. I need to reorganize an enormous hall closet. One half holds all of Sloane’s craft materials, art supplies, and games. The other half holds all of my PR deliveries and our back stock of toothpaste, Q-tips, toilet paper and the like. This photo showing these stackable bins from Amazon is very intriguing.

Ringed. Still obsessed with this scarf ring. I finally bought it to help me jazz up basic outfits.

Legislative Immunity. I have a famously weak immune system. Sloane gets sick for 48-hours, four weeks later, I’m on my third round of antibiotics, drinking codeine cough syrup through a straw. But — knock on wood — I believe I have repaired it. Or, at least, Wellness Formula from Source Naturals has repaired it. I am not a doctor, and I cannot stress this enough, this is purely anecdotal and in no way qualifies as medical advice, but Sloane has been sick three times this year and I have been sick once, and for only 12 hours. This stuff is so good I’m afraid a tiny man with a spinning wheel is going to jump out and command me to say his name before he’ll make me more.

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