i exist in the context of all in which i live and what came before me
Hello friends,
A mellow newsy for you today, with my picks for what to watch, listen to, read, and indulge in. A short scroll will get you everything you need for a cozy weekend.
Summer is in full tilt and it seems like the world has shifted gears accordingly. Freckles dot our faces, salty air amplifies our hair's natural volume, and bikini tops replace bras. Photos of spritzes and beach picnics flood our feeds, and we might just have the opportunity to make a dent in our To Be Read pile.
While I was slacking off last week, the hard-working and talented writers that I have the pleasure of working with continued to share their thoughts for Hard Copy on everything from how cancer can impact our relationship with work (and perhaps a bit of empathy for one Princess of Wales), a case for revisiting our childhood passions, a review of the film Kinds of Kindness, and what the hell to wear to a black-tie wedding. One perspective I really enjoyed reading is on the importance of dismantling oppression with love; more specifically, friendships. More on these below.
And yes!! Tasha Beg is back with her sharp pop culture bites with her always sage astrological angles, and I'm back yapping on the podcast with comedian and actor Caitlin Howden. For those on the road this weekend, enjoy this playlist made just for you.
For our friends south of the border, wishing you a very happy long weekend!!
So, open your window, grab that second cup of coffee, and let's get to it.
📺 Watch
GOAT Serena Williams on the always entertaining Hot Ones. (YouTube)
The silly but (and?) fun and light Space Cadet starring Emma Roberts (also why yes Tom Hopper, you can sit on my lap and nuzzle my neck absolutely sure thing). (Prime)
A docu-series shines a spotlight on all things Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and exposes the unfair compensation within the NFL. (Netflix)
🎧 Listen
Poet, rebel, and country crooner Zach Bryan's new album The Great American Bar Scene.
Romanticize yourself (or anyone you want, really) with the lightly jazzed up, old-timey songstress Norma Winstone, accompanied by the beautiful pianist Kit Downes.
This epic playlist from musician Louise Burns for Hard Copy will keep even the pickiest audiophiles satisfied.
📚 Read
The wry, heart-wrenching, and absolutely original Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. Psychological fiction.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is about a 13 year-old camper who goes missing from a summer camp in 1975. Eerily, her old brother vanished 14 years ago and was never found. Thriller, drama.
✨ Indulge
The outfit of the summer is...a linen set. I know, I know...not a dress! Wild.
The trick with a set like this is to keep the fabrics sheer and breezy, ie linen or linen-cotton blend. Don't worry about matching - a few shades off just adds to the look. This type of fabric is great for wear and tear, and there is no need to overpay for the more posh brands: you're going to get these covered in sand, grass, sweat, and the sea. Bonus: they get better with every wash and wear.
Try the cotton-linen blend in off-white from Gap, a similar look from Banana Republic, or mix and match with the tried and true linen pants from J.Crew. Each brand has matching or complementary linen tops as well.
🐣 Kiddos
Re-introducing this section for my favourite (little) people. Hard Copy is for busy women, and that includes the busiest of all: moms, grandmas, aunties, and anyone out there trying to raise small humans.
Give your kids some screen-free time with Brain Quest workbooks. In my house, we do these every morning and set a timer for 20 minutes. Don't sweat the specific grade, either - they are fun and engaging, and the goal is simply focus-time.
I never thought I'd recommend Crocs, but here we are: the colourful clogs with the back strap are, to be frank, the only shoe my kids wear throughout the summer.
For the extra small version of tiny humans, this Gameboy teether is my go to gift.
As always, I love your thoughts, feedback, and appreciate requests. You can email me anytime - I love it.
Happy Summer!