weekly r.e.p.o.r.t. c.a.r.d. #36

escapist reads, insider baseball on clothing quality, and productivity hacks that work

Happy snowy Sunday! The city is absolutely getting pummeled with snow and it’s been a great excuse to stay in, catch up on work, and get cranking on my wedding thank you notes.

I’m curious to know what others have experienced, but I’ve met a few people who simply don’t believe in sending wedding thank you notes?!

A big pending snowstorm calls for a big pancake. This is at Hoexter’s on the Upper East Side—one of my favorite spots for an indulgent brunch. The pancake definitely isn’t sugar cleanse compliant…but it was my husband’s order!

I would be remiss to write this Substack without mentioning the darkness currently blanketing our country (especially in Minneapolis). As Hitha Palepu mentioned in her Substack today, “Do something about it, and don’t do it half-assed.”

In addition, Eleanor Leftwich and Kelly Nolan | Bright Method are both Minnesotans (and incredible creators) who have been sharing what it feels like in the state right now. Though the focus of their platforms isn’t news, I’ve both learned a lot from them during this period. And for hyper-detailed news coverage, Mo News has been my go-to for years (especially love them on Instagram).

Reading (book): Not to compound on the darkness, but I had the great privilege of seeing the Anne Frank exhibit in NYC earlier this week. It’s a traveling exhibit that features real artifacts from Anne’s childhood, photos from the Holocaust, mini-documentaries, and media that is chilling and incredibly powerful.

The exhibit is open in NYC until February 1, and then will be hosted in a different city later this year (which has yet to be announced). If you can squeeze in a visit before the exhibit wraps, absolutely do so!

Though I’ve read excerpts from Anne Frank’s diary over the years, I’ve never read it in full. So I ordered it as soon as I got home from the exhibit. Not a light read, but an essential one.

On a much lighter note, this book is a very fun rich mom thriller. I raced through it and it’s the perfect escapist read. It’s about an overworked lawyer who moves to an neighborhood of unusually perfect husbands…but then discovers a sinister plot beneath the facade.

Reading (article): The hottest place to network is indeed hot. This Bloomberg Businessweek article (non-paywalled!) dives into the rise of networking and doing business in saunas. I personally love going to Othership in NYC and have gone with friends, clients, and business contacts. (I wouldn’t go with a man, though—that’s taking it a step too far!)

Another article rec—if you’re a marketer, Julia Casella’s latest Substack is a primer on social media…and why it’s the hardest job in marketing. A close peek at how the function is changing and what’s expected of social media managers. If you’re in marketing, I also highly recommend Rachel Karten’s Substack!

Eating: My sugar cleanse remains in full force. And while I’ve broken it a few times for worthy eats, it’s been a welcome reset to my eating habits. I shared some go-to sugar-free snacks in last week’s Substack, but a few more I’ve been loving:

• These date-sweetened chocolate chips are amazing. (Above, a text from a friend earlier this week confirming just how good they are!) While I’ve been doing my utmost to not simply run towards naturally sweetened alternatives (e.g., pouring lots of honey in my matcha because I miss sugar!), these are a worthy exception. I find a lot of “alternative” chocolate options (like Choc Zero) to be gross and artificial. These chocolate chips, though, are delicious—just a little less saccharinely sweet than I’m used to!

• I’ve tried a number of bone broth brands, and this one is my favorite. Sugar-free and a fantastic protein-packed snack (especially if you’re in back-to-back meetings and want something filling that isn’t a messy sandwich).

• These protein pretzels are STELLAR. Originally a Hitha Palepu rec. No protein aftertaste. I love all flavors, though the everything is my favorite. Sugar-free and a filling snack (especially when paired with hummus or cottage cheese). My picky husband even liked—and Hitha feeds to her two kids to rave reviews.

Playing: With Crossplay! It’s the new NYT word game that’s essentially the same as Scrabble. A friend invited me to play and it’s been a fun way to keep in touch with friends all over the country.

Obsessing: Over my Pura. Scents can be such a good motivator when leveraged properly!

I have my Pura in my home office (really my home nook), so I have a timer set to turn it on during “working hours” and off at 6PM. When my Pura is running and the scent is being dispersed in my nook, I really do feel more focused. And when working hours end, it’s a sensory reminder to step away from my desk and take a break.

There are so many fragrances to pick and choose from (though I’ve repurchased the Capri Blue a few times and love it).

Another worthy home office investment is this peel-and-stick wallpaper. It looks WAY more expensive than it is, as the sticker has that rich, textured feel (but again, it’s simply a flat sticker!)

Like the Pura, the wallpaper makes my office that much more cozy—and therefore motivates me to spend more time here (as I type this from my desk chair!) While the installation of peel-and-stick wallpaper is pretty easy, I am completely DIY-challenged and hired someone to execute it for me. Feel free to DM / e-mail me and I’m happy to share his contact info if you’re in NYC.

Recommending: All things natural fibers! I mentioned her earlier in this Substack in a different context, but Eleanor Leftwich is the founder & owner of her namesake knitwear brand. In addition to creating her own gorgeous pieces (I ordered my very first ELC piece last month and am excited for it to arrive soon!), she also shares a ton of educational fashion content on her Instagram (and Substack). Eleanor tackles it all—why manufacturing with natural fibers results in long-lasting clothing, why clothing quality has massively declined, and how to suss out well-made pieces.

While I wait for my ELC sweater to arrive, a few 100% natural pieces I’ve been eyeing (or are in my closet!):

• This roll-neck sweater is 100% cotton and so, so good. $35 and looks just like Jenni Kayne (but with no synthetic materials!)

  • This is an older post of mine that speaks to the rise of JK and how (in some ways) they have been the poster child for influencer-shilled brands. When everyone and their mother is talking about a brand, trust often gets eroded—and you start to question if something is really that good.

• This brand is so beyond slept on. I own two pieces from them—if you like Alice & Olivia, Simkhai, or ALC, you’ll love this brand (but the materials and price point is way better than their competitors). I especially love this gorgeous wool & cotton blend sweater (I have this exact one!) and this stunning wool cape.

  • A note: this brand requires a good eye. I love a lot of the pieces, but some of them are very 2016 and Coachella-coded. Choose carefully!

• No need to spend a ton on fancy, overpriced tees! My go-to, 100% cotton tees are $14.90...and way better than LESET.

• A gorgeous 100% cotton sweater from a somewhat unexpected source. The metal detail at the collar is super edgy…and delivers a big style punch for $52.

• 100% cashmere under $100. Again, a very similar silhouette to Jenni Kayne at a much more palatable price point.

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

• An interesting peek into the world of homeschooling. Alternate education options (like Alpha School) are cropping up left and right, so it’s good to be informed about what’s out there.

• This mall brand is having a major renaissance—and this throw-on-and-go jacket is a perfect example of how good they’ve gotten. I own this and it’s the best to throw on under a heavier jacket, to the gym for a light workout, or with leggings if you want to feel slightly more pulled together. Very Alo-esque without the insanely high price tag.

• Loved this take via Dr. Julie Gurner:

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