I see a lot of, let’s say, regrettable takes online. I’m on Twitter, for god’s sake. But I saw one this week about how my new favorite movie, Fire Island, is an F- (lolz) on the Bechdel test. Friends, if you glean nothing more from me this week, please know that if a group of marginalized people make a movie together about their lived experience and they don’t also include two women talking to each other, it can still be a great movie. And with that, here are your links!
• Longtime listeners will know I’m obsessed with Las Culturistas, the podcast of friends, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. Well, they’re in a movie together and it’s delightful. You’ve probably seen it on all of your faves’ IG stories this week. Here is what the LA Times has to say about Fire Island, which I wholeheartedly give an A+ on the Bechdel test. (Apple Podcasts)
• Turns out, my friends are reading romance. Smut girl summer? I posed a question in my Instagram stories last week asking what everyone wants to read this summer. Spoiler alert: the answer is filth. Here is your official summer reading list! (The Blonde Mule)
• Vallery Lomas (who’s cookbook is GREAT btw) is showing us how to make an easy “shortcut” triple chocolate mousse. Yes, yes I will make this. (Bookshop.org, Better Homes & Gardens)
• Virginia Sole-Smith, the hero behind Jeans Science, put out a podcast episode this week about the intersection of beauty culture and diet culture. If you’ve ever wondered if all beauty reporting is paid marketing, or if fatphobia and ageism are related… This is for you. (Substack)
• I have a lot of friends who have quietly gotten sober over the pandemic. One of my favorite friends, Natalie Lima, wrote about getting sober again for Catapult magazine’s new essay series, I Give Up. (Catapult)
• I’m old enough to remember when it was trendy to (air quotes) ‘believe women’. It’s been disappointing to hear bad take after bad take from so many (air quotes) ‘well-meaning’ folks about the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial. Jessica Valenti is always a voice that rises above the fray in these situations, as she is here in her Substack.
• I was reading Previously On, one of the newsletters by R. Eric Thomas, and he writes about celebrity memoirs and how great they are as audiobooks. I immediately thought about how much I loved the audiobook of Mariah’s Carey’s memoir, and Dave Grohl’s, and David Chang’s, and and and… You get the point. (Bulletin)
• It’s hand sunscreen season. Remember Birchbox? Man, I used to ride so hard for Birchbox. RIP pre-pandemic me. I got a sample of this Supergoop! Handscreen and I loved it so much I sure did spend $38 on hand lotion. If you drive a lot in the summer, you may want to invest in this. (Sephora)
• As some of you know, I host a podcast called Ladyland and we’ve made a short video series. The first three videos are out and I would love for you to watch them. We’re taking a short break to record some podcast episodes and then we’ll be back with more videos. (Ladyland)
• Times are hard, things feel heavy. In the spirit of relief, I leave you with this cat pole dancing to “Pour Some Sugar on Me”. (TikTok)
See you in the comments!
Kim
Kathleen
I am *here* for the hand sunscreen!! As a pale lady who moved to CA a few years ago and was shocked at how intense the sun was (plus driving, which was new for this NYC transplant), I started using body lotion with SPF and never looked back. Since I wash my hands so much (thanks panini), I couldn’t justify the Supergoop sunscreen cost, but highly recommend the Eucerin Daily Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, which I reapply to my hands and forearms constantly!
Kim
Oooh, this is good to know. Thanks, Kathleen!
Cy
I started listening to audio books when commuting back and forth caring for my sick dad. I love to read, but some books I’m convinced are better as audio books. I just finished Minnie Driver’s “ Managing Expectations” and its’ fantastic! her voice is gorgeous, I was sad it was over, she is a wonderful writer. Up next is Molly Shannon’s “hello Molly”.
Cy
Big fan of the Supergoop hand screen! It goes on like a hand lotion. Why don’t more companies address this? Yours hands are this first thing to show age.also don’t forget your neck and chest ( older lady here)
Kim
I’ve heard that Minnie Driver’s books is soooo good. I need to download both hers and Molly Shannon’s.
Katie
Sunscreen just for hands! That’s genius. Thanks for the rec! I often think about how much sun damage my hands and forearms are incurring when I drive, but instead of applying sunscreen like a rational adult human, I resort to gripping the steering wheel from the bottom so that my palms are facing up and the backs of my hands are not exposed. Probably not a good move on these Mad Max Fury Roads of Nashville, where you need to be fully caffeinated, hands at 10 and 2, on high alert with dash cam on at all times (who am I kidding, I don’t have a dash cam).
Kim
Katie, yes! Exactly. You know that dermatology office on White Bridge, in front of Target? I used to see a derm there and she was known around town for driving her Porsche (lol) with white driving gloves in the summer. Honestly, a hero.
Katie
I know the place you’re talking about! She’s not the hero we deserve, but she’s the hero we need. I hope she also had one of those dramatic Isadora Duncan scarves flowing out her window (that she did not get strangled by in this instance). Also lol at commenting about insane drivers yesterday because I got creamed by an inattentive driver today! No injuries but also no more car.
JessicaD
It’s my 50th birthday today and I realized I *officially* turned 50 while watching a cat pole dance to Pour Some Sugar On Me… !! Rock on! Prior to that, when I was still 49, I read the Jessica Valenti article and cursed Johnny Depp and our downhill-headed misogynistic society. She is always spot on. Thanks for a great round up, Kim!
Kim
Happy birthday, Jessica! Had I known, I might would have given you a better present than that pole-dancing cat, but I’m glad it added to your day – ha!
Sarafina
I highly recommend Brandi Carlile’s audiobook as well!! So freaking good.
Traci
Total agreement about Fire Island!! Loved it so much!
Kim
Oh, yay! I’m so glad you liked it too, Traci. Such a great movie to kick off summer.
Erica
Oh man, how much do I need this Sole-Smith episode rn? This much *smiles until skin cracks because I smeared retinol all over my face last night.* Thanks for the rec!
Kim
Erica! YES. I was so glad to hear that episode. I didn’t know how much I needed it. I’m glad you liked it, too.
Michelle Ring
Love the Ladyland videos! Looking forward to more.
Kim
Awe, Michelle. Thank you for watching them!
Sara
I LOL at that pole dancing cat! OMG…that’s hysterical! I love cats! Thanks for sharing this, I needed a good laugh!
Kim
Hi Sara! Yay. I use TikTok to destress so it seemed like something maybe we could all use right now. I’m glad you got a laugh from it.
Sue
It’s amazing what pets will do for attention or exercise. This cat is quite talented with its pole moves. Thanks for the funny TikTok Video.
Kim
Sue – it’s so true! And that is a very talented cat – hahahaha
Jennifer S
The “Blessed” and “Home Sweet Home” really MAKE the cat video!!!!
Kim
Don’t they? Hahahaha. Like Sue said above, it’s a very talented cat.
Ramona
I laughed out loud at the cat video! Thank you for a great newsletter ??
Kim
Awe, yay! Thank you, Ramona
Rachael
Loved Natalie’s article!
Kim
Rachel, isn’t that article so good? I love Natalie and I’m so glad her essay is out in the world.