weekly r.e.p.o.r.t. c.a.r.d. #57
crowd-pleasing TV shows and cute clothes you won't sweat in
Happy Monday! I spent the weekend out in the Hamptons with my five cousins and two siblings. I’m the oldest cousin on my dad’s side, and we grew up a town apart from each other in New Jersey.
We have a running meme chat on Instagram and an always-pinging group text…but there’s no substitution for hanging out and making fun of each other in person.
Sag Pizza is always a Hamptons favorite. Don’t miss the crust dippers (a wide variety of sauces like truffle aioli and pesto) that literally every pizza joint should have. A very easy upsell…and makes pizza that much better.
Last week, I dove a juicy book recommendation, protein-packed recs that don’t taste healthy, and hot weather survival tips. This week, TV shows everyone will love, natural fiber clothing you won’t sweat in, and a roadmap to becoming high agency.
weekly r.e.p.o.r.t. c.a.r.d. #56
Happy Monday! I spent the weekend upstate with my husband catching up on work and playing around with Fable.
Last week’s book recommendation was a juicy non-fiction read on the societal portrayal of motherhood, but this week’s recommendation is a thriller on a similar (but even darker) topic.
It’s about a mother who disappears after she admits to a friend that she regrets having her daughter. A very sad premise, but a book that will keep you hooked. Highly recommend (and a great beach read).
A few other beach reads I can’t stop recommending this summer:
This thriller that ties family drama, rich people doing bad things, and that precocious summer-before-college period.
This rom-com about a Maine summer romance.
This thriller with an interesting premise—an all-powerful pill that completely rids mothers of “mom guilt.”
The WSJ dropped two super juicy articles last week. One was about prenups and featured my friend (master matchmaker Anna Morgenstern). Prenups are something that I believe everyone should have—as everyone, by default, has a prenup.
You either create a prenup yourself…or the government decides your prenup for you. The article unpacks the rise of the stay-at-home parent clause in prenups and how people are increasingly having conversations about who will be the primary parent before they walk down the aisle. Information is a gift! Love this trend.
On a similar note, raising kids (and hiring help!) is very expensive. This article gave an unfiltered look into just how much some parents pay for the best help, especially if they’re a dual-working household. Parents interviewed in the piece are shelling out $250K+ per year on childcare…whew!
Who is a fan of Quaker rice cakes? I sure am. I love eating them solo, topping the chocolate flavor with peanut butter—or as a favorite fall indulgence, shmearing the caramel flavor with apple butter. But the ingredients aren’t so great.
A few months ago, Alexandra Sall (one of my cleanest eating friends!) introduced me to this lightened-up alternative. All natural ingredients (nothing you can’t pronounce!), and just as delicious as the OG. They’ve been a staple in my snack rotation ever since.
More healthy snacking favorites: this clean jerky brand (which I never thought I’d love), these seed crackers that don’t taste like dust, and these protein-packed beans.
With polka dots! Though I love a loud print, I’ve often found myself getting tired of some of the bolder prints in my closet.
I err on the side of timeless prints vs. those that will fade out after a season, but prints are a naturally less versatile piece than a solid.
Polka dots defy that logic. They’re at once a print and a neutral, have endured for decades, and always deliver elegance. Here are some of my favorite polka dot pieces, many of which I own and love myself!
The star of the show is undoubtedly this polka dot top. I wore it to a meeting this morning (of course, not open like this!) with my all-time favorite work pants and these ultra-comfy flats.
And wow. This is a total winner of a work blouse. It’s on major sale, and there’s a similar one on Net-A-Porter currently retailing for over $1,000. This one is a mere fraction of the price.
And finally, a polka dot dress. This one is 100% cotton, under $130, and a Zimmermann dupe. Would look adorable paired with this bold clutch and low heels.
Even more polka dot finds linked here!
Let’s talk TV! Though summer is the best excuse to linger outside, there are a ton of super entertaining shows that have come out over the past few weeks. (And if you’re watching with a partner, here’s my super vetted list of shows that you and your partner are guaranteed to love).
What I’ve been loving recently:
THE HAWK is a super fast and fun watch. I’m far from being a golf fan (I generally find the game to be very slow), but even I found the show entertaining. Will Ferrell stars as a washed-up golf star who aims to make a big comeback...and his biggest obstacle is his son (a burgeoning star on the PGA Tour).
CAPE FEAR isn’t for everyone, but I loved it. I’m a sucker for a good thriller. This one absolutely delivered. I know it was inspired by the 1962 movie, which I haven’t seen. The premise—when convicted murderer Max Cady (Javier Bardem) is released from prison, he begins infiltrating the family of the married attorneys (Amy Adams & Patrick Wilson) who helped put him behind bars.
If you like docu-thrillers, WORST NEIGHBOR EVER is a great one. It’s produced by Bloomfield Productions (so it’s guaranteed to be good).
THE FIVE STAR WEEKEND is an absolutely delightful watch. Perfect for a family weekend together or a long plane ride. Though Jennifer Garner seems to play the same character every single time (a chipper woman who faces some kind of life crisis), it’s a great show.
What I’ve recommended over the past few weeks:
My tried-and-true travel bags (from pouches to my crossbody to my carry-on).
A Scandinavian reminder via Marina Cooley. Step away from your desk!
As temperatures continue to rise, natural fibers are becoming more and more of a must. I’ve been reaching for this gauze shirt, these gauze pants, and my beloved cotton tee. All are very well priced and fit beautifully—but you won’t be spending so much on them that you’ll feel guilty ruining them with a summer stain.
My all-time favorite lymphatic drainage and compression leggings are on sale. I opine on them in this post. Their hero product is the lowest price it will ever be. It is final sale, but feel free to email (julia@smarterinasec.com) or DM me with any sizing questions!
I can’t get over this rainbow crochet bag and this rainbow crochet tote. Miu Miu absolutely killed it this season with their rainbow colorway combo, but these bags deliver that look at a way lower price point.
The pieces worth your time this week:
I was immediately entranced by the title of George Mack’s Substack (High Agency). He claims that being high agency is the most important trait you can have in the 21st century, and I couldn’t agree more. This piece explores how overthinking (like depression!) can’t hit a moving target. Such a good one.
A dissection of Ariana Grande’s whimsical perfume release via Miccaeli. Even if you think the piece has no relevance to you, just read it...it’s so playfully written and will really make you think.
Even as a non-parent, I found this one interesting. Gemma Allen investigates her daughter’s experience at New York City summer camp and how it compares with her childhood growing up in Ireland, where kids were freely encouraged to be bored. Not a word you hear parents use often!
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Love this recap :)