The Reading List: October 19, 2019

We agree - we should all be Mirandas. Just to start off on an essential note: EE and Momo = Miranda with Charlotte rising, Shannon = Miranda with Miranda (and OK, sometimes Samantha) rising. Chart via ManRepeller.

Shannon

First things first. This Man Repeller piece on deciding when to switch to hot coffee? BYE. It’s always iced coffee season. Exhibit A is pictured here. Case closed.

If you’re looking for even more info about the journalists who broke the Harvey Weinstein story (in addition to my review of “She Said,” that is), look no further than this Vanity Fair piece by Rich McHugh, who worked with Ronan Farrow at NBC while reporting on Weinstein. Look for our review of Farrow’s “Catch and Kill” next week!

Related to the above, I apparently missed this Rebecca Traister essay in NY Mag when it came out a few weeks ago, but she spoke to several women who told their stories during #MeToo about the toll it took on their lives.

Need a new show to binge? Look no further than The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which, as this piece from Buzzfeed demonstrates, holds up remarkably well considering it premiered nearly 50 years ago. The show deals with gender equity in a nuanced way, and was even quite radical for its time. (The entire setup for the show revolves around Mary leaving her partner and making it on her own in Minneapolis—in 1970!) The show is streaming on Hulu, you’re welcome.

Candle inspo for fall is always welcome (via Into the Gloss). My fall candle is Jo Malone’s Wood Sage and Sea Salt. (Jo Malone is an Estee Lauder Companies brand and I do get a discount on their products.)

Moira

I’ve been thinking a lot about self-esteem lately and so I want to share some borderline stream of consciousness thoughts with you, as well as some articles. I have struggled wildly with self-image my whole life—both my appearance and my capability, and am putting a lot of concerted effort (with professional help—we love professional help at SFOL) into learning how to, like, at least tolerate myself. Unfortunately, and I think like most women, I didn’t really learn how to accept compliments and market myself effectively (I was too busy getting called fat by my ballet teachers), so I’m learning as I go. Please see Reductress nailing my general sense of self in “Are You Even Good Enough to Have Imposter Syndrome?”

Unfortunately, the cult of self-esteem is also pretty damaging. See every internet meme ever about how you’re the most important person in the universe and your needs come first, and anyone who disagrees with you ever is toxic. The funniest thing my mother regularly says is “Maybe some people should have low self-esteem.” I hate individualistic bullshit (go read some Ayn Rand, you’re turning into a Republican), and truly good self-image means treating other people well too. The Atlantic explored the line between self-esteem and narcissism in a really interesting article this week.

On a tangentially related note, does anyone struggle with dressing for work? I feel like workwear was designed for men (why is there no garment that looks as good on women as a suit does on men)? My waist-hip ratio makes wearing suiting somewhere between impossible and demoralizing. Luckily I work in a casual environment, but it’s still a struggle. Universal Standard, whose clothing I adore, explores what dressing for work actually means in this interesting piece with multiple perspectives (including our fave Roxane Gay).

Elizabeth

Logistics like this are one of my favorite things! Just such a cool and massive feat — there is literally no detail to small. It’s no small feat to travel with 208 people and a ton of Gatorade. Here’s how the Bears will get it all from Chicago to London. Side note: do we think people in London care about NFL football? Or is it all just a gimmick?

I love a good spin class (and I will be very sad if Flywheel closes), and I loved reading about some of the questions behind the upcoming Peloton IPO. I know it’s more popular than ever, but at some point, you’re going to have to hit the saturation point? Not everyone has the space or the desire to have a spin bike in their home, and yikes @ that continuing monthly membership charge. Will it be like marathon running or will it be like Taebo?

The British royals have long been a favorite of mine, and like about 100k of my closest friends, I enjoy following Elizabeth Holmes on Instagram. This article she wrote about So Many Thoughts — The Hobby That Transformed My Career — was an interesting look at monetizing a side gig. I can’t say I always agree with her Thoughts (TM) — and I definitely eye roll at some of her decidedly not #teamboth antics — but she is a good one for royal fashion commentary.

Here at She’s Full of Lit, we are big fans of therapy (no stigma around here!), and in honor of October being mental health awareness month, I wanted to share this one: 50 People Shared the Best Advice Their Therapist Has Ever Given Them. I know the headline is a little gimmicky, but there are some gems in there.

And on a slightly more happy note: All the Snacks Bon Appétit Staffers Stash at Their Desks. I know you’re wondering — my favorites are Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies, Perfect Bars (obvs in a fridge, I’m not a monster), and tiny packets of trail mix.