Weekly Recs | April 27, 2025
A few things I enjoyed recently and maybe you will too.
Remember in the early 2010’s when the old English mantra “Keep Calm and Carry On” was trendy? It’s really the last time I’ve thought about it, but this week has been a lesson in soldiering on amidst things not going my way.
In general, it was actually a good week. I closed two big sales that comprise roughly six months of work apiece. Gratifying certainly, and important metrics-wise, being big hitters in getting me to my annual sales goal (and bonus eligibility). Anyone in sales will agree, that’s champagne worthy on its own. But the last minute details and the hysteria and dreams I have at night suddenly remembering details I haven’t thought of or that could theoretically go wrong sent me spiraling. I haven’t slept well and I’ve been self-soothing as I do, and yesterday I parented alone. I went to bed last night thinking “today was a bad day” and that’s hard to take on a weekend.
The honest thing that I feel even now, none of my friends are talking about, is that weekends are really hard for a working parent. Maybe all parents, I don’t know. I can’t speak for mothers in different situations than I am in, but as a full time working mother who looks forward to the weekend all week long, it is particularly difficult that since having children, they are actually not the restful two days necessary to rejuvenate for a week ahead. Often, it is clocking in for my other full-time job: refereeing fights and mopping the floor three times because the GD juice just cannot stay in the cup. It’s trying to catch up on laundry and maybe read a few pages in between endless “mom! Com’ere!” and “mom! look at this!”
Yesterday was a hard one., my kids taking up battles and arguing about things that are so incredibly silly, and not being able to get away from it for a second. When my husband came home, he’s wonderful, but plays rough and wild with the kids and the dogs and everyone is quickly shrill and screaming and laughing and the dog is barking and they’re having a good time while I”m in a overstimulated meltdown. Then the dog peed on the carpet upstairs and I fell into bed about to cry from the overwhelm.
Saturday, what a waste. Even after all these years of parenting, I still have this view of the weekend through rose colored glasses, and when it all falls apart like this, it feels like taking a bite of cake and realizing I swapped the sugar for salt. I gave up after the dog peeing, and went to bed, closing the door behind me. I popped in my AirPods and when it was finally quiet, decided to carry on - tomorrow. I mean, what else can I do? But also I have to set my mind up right. Sunday is a new day, a fresh start. A new week and the freshest of starts. I set an early alarm, which feels criminal for a weekend, but I knew I needed to give myself a couple hours alone before my family wakes up, and now I come to you live: alone, refreshed, ready to try again.
Images are links!
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney // I’m about halfway through this novel following two brothers with not much in common. TBH is pretty boring but I can’t get myself to quit reading it. That’s a weird endorsement, but I guess it’s like nothing is really happening, but the characters are enjoyable enough that I keep going, wondering if something will eventually happen after all.
Oval Sunglasses from J Crew Factory // What a fun fixation I landed on this week! These come in three color ways. The pink is my favorite and feels sort of niche, while the tortoise could easily become a daily driver.
Cobalt Blue Swimsuit from J Crew Factory // I wonder how long cobalt blue will linger as my favorite color. It came out of nowhere, but has lingered. This cute but covering suit checks all my boxes.
Kosas Setting Powder in Translucent Candy // New to me! And so far, I’m really liking it. It’s lighter than my usual go-to Laura Mercier, which makes it ideal for as long as my winter dry skin sticks around.
Lands End Canvas Zipper Pouch // I’ve been hunting around the internet for a new beach tote, and while this won’t do the job, I am interested in the organizational function of a bag within a bag. Too much?
Rare Beauty Contour in Mellow // Another recent acquisition and one I’m really loving, although I don’t think the quality is so stunning that it couldn’t easily be replaced with a more economical product. It’s a little warm in my opinion to be a true contour, but the way it adds a warmth and glow to my face! It’s like summertime Jen, which is my preferred version! Blends beautifully and doesn’t look cakey.
The Gap Lounge Set // Good god, do I love a set or what. There’s a handful of color ways here, so if pink and blue ain’t it for you, still take a gander.
Tuckernuck Terrycloth Tote // OF COURSE I would fixate on the more pricey beach totes. The rainbow option from The Gap from last week’s recs is more in line with my budget, but I’m so attracted to this one and the terrycloth material is top-notch for the beach.