March Favorites
Thank you for your patience. March FLEW by and somehow April is already well-underway, though it still feels like February. This month my favorites fell into categories so I'm grouping it that way; you'll see what I mean. Without any more commentary... Favorites time!
Fashion Finds
While Mother Nature seems to think it's winter, I am prepping my wardrobe for spring, and also trying to incorporate more pieces and colors that feel like me. Seriously, my sweaters are all neutrals and it's sad, or rather, they were. I am so into this cold-shoulder sweater from Club Monaco. It's so soft and can be dressed up or down; basically it works for anything and I am all about pieces that can do double duty. I also bought a pink sweater with a silky, floral back but I haven't worn it enough yet to be sure so no link/picture for it. More tops are on the way as well (#oops).
Mine is blush but it comes out so pale in pictures so use your imagination please. PC: Club Monaco
Did you know that Dorothy's slippers were really silver? They were changed to ruby red for the film to highlight the newness of color TV/film (or so I've been told re: reason for ruby red, the silver is true). Basically, I am Dorothy. PC: Aldo
Movies
Just before the Oscars, I was determined to see Call Me By Your Name. I finished it just in time (we're talking hours before the show began) and wow. From the story to the visuals, the symbolism to Timothée Chalamet's performance, the film is a must-see, and one I wish I could watch in the context of a class as there are so many things I want to discuss. Next up was an ON-Demand rental, Don't Talk to Irene. If you liked Little Miss Sunshine, this movie is for you! It's familiar tropes- the "loser" whose mother tells her she can't achieve her dreams, finds her confidence and makes it big with the help of some unlikely friends. Yes, I just made that sound awful but it's the details that take this familiar tale that make it so unique and charming. Watch it! You'll smile so big. Lastly, Love, Simon. First of all, I haven't ever watched (or read) anything where a main character shared my name, so hearing Leah pretty frequently took some getting used to. That aside, this is an important movie. I've been told that for some in the gay community, they wish this movie had existed when they were growing up. I can't, and wouldn't try to speak to that aspect, so instead I'll say how it touched me, a straight female. What I could relate to was the feeling of being an outsider, like people don't get or know the whole you. I think we all feel this way at times. There are parts of ourselves we keep hidden, parts on certain people know, parts we are afraid to share for fear of what others will think. A wonderful movie, and a movie that I think should be required viewing in high schools.
Art: The Women's Trilogy Project: Part One
Gallery afternoons continued for a good part of March. My favorite show was Rachel Lee Hovnanian's "The Women's Trilogy Project: Part One." A meditation on our relationship with technology, the exhibit is playful, haunting, and thought-provoking. The highlight is "The Immersion Room." I don't want to ruin it for anyone but if you're curious, leave a note in the comments or email me and I'll fill you in. Part One ends this week so if you can make it, go! If not, don't miss parts two and three- I don't know what they'll entail but if part one is any indication, they'll be worth a trip.
My feet have also gotten an upgrade. It was the anniversary of Netta's death and I was on my way home from a coffee/tea catch up when, like the small child I am at heart, shiny things in the window of Aldo caught my eye. About 10 minutes and not an outrageous number of dollars later, I was the owner of gorgeous, silver sneakers, or as my dad dubbed them, "superhero shoes." I have gotten so many compliments on them and they make me so happy. 11/10 would recommend.
Articles
I've been struggling through my book, it will definitely not be a favorite unless something majorly changes. That said, I've read two articles that I found fascinating. The first is "The 101 Dishes That Changed America." As the name suggests, this piece is all about food. I knew of most of the dishes, but some of the more regional ones were new to me. I loved learning the stories behind dishes we take for granted, items like Cobb Salad, lobster rolls, and chocolate lava cake, among others. It's a long read, but it's fun and you can easily pick it up/put it down at your convenience.
The second piece that really struck me was "Why Your Inner Circle Should Stay Small." At first it seems counterintuitive and goes against what many of us have been taught or even observed. Doesn't casting a wide net maximize connections and thereby yield the most potential opportunities? Not so, author Scott Gerber explains. Think about a drop of food coloring in a tub, it doesn't make for much of an impact, the coloring being spread too thin. Now take that same drop and put it in a shot-glass of water. (Apologies to Gerber for taking liberties and making this metaphor, but I think he would agree.) In sum, the more we try to connect, the more people we try to meet, the less we are able to make real, meaningful connections and the more we spread ourselves thin. If we focus our time and energy, we will reap bigger and better rewards. By the end, he had me completely convinced.
What were your March favorites? Did you read the articles?