Have a Good Weekend.
What are you up to this weekend? The boys just left on a trip with their dad, and I already miss them so much! Longer breaks are a hard part of co-parenting, I find. Still, I’m looking forward to leaning into solo time and hanging with friends and Freddie. Hope you have a good one, and here are some links from around the web…
Found! The cutest dress.
Could you have landed a job at Vogue in the ’90s? Take the quiz. (NYTimes gift link)
Photos from the 1970s and 1980s of kids jumping their bikes, sometimes over other kids.
Will you watch the new Billy Joel documentary? I used to walk around our Michigan suburb listening to Billy Joel on my walkman. It’s called BEING COOL, you guys.
Focaccia with zucchini and potatoes.
Whoa, how great is this bathroom tile?
What it’s like to live on a Dutch houseboat. “It’s a small area, but it’s the rich life living on the water that we love.” (Architectural Digest)
Before-and-after photos of this moisturizer are amazing.
Iceland’s 36-hour workweek has been a huge success. “On his free days, [my husband] loves to sleep in, then to make long phone calls to his fellow pigeon fanciers while cleaning the kitchen, before going to the shops in search of interesting books.”
My boys and I give caprese chicken five stars. Any easy dinners you’d recommend?
Of course Megan Stalter is the main character. Fun photos, too. (Glamour)
Finally, two Big Salad issues: At age 46, I finally figured out my hair. And our 13 favorite swimsuits. “The fabric is more impressive than anything created by NASA.”
Plus, three reader comments:
Says Carolin on what fun facts do you know: “If you start counting from zero, your lips won’t touch again until you reach one million. (Isn’t that weirdly sexy?)”
Says Karin on puberty, meet perimenopause: “A few years ago, my eight-year-old daughter sat in stunned witness, as I sobbed on the kitchen floor because I couldn’t find a matching lid for a Tupperware. ‘You, too, will have strong irrational feelings that you find difficult to explain…’ I wailed. It is a memory we frequently refer to as she reads and asks questions about puberty. It feels like a gift to be open with her about how her body will change and what it can feel like at both ends — she will have so much more power during the transitions than I was given.”
Says Laura on what fun facts do you know: “Barilla has multiple playlists on Spotify with the perfect timing for al dente pasta. Pick your pasta shape, boil water and play.”
(Photo by Aleksei Toropov/Stocksy.)
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Comments
83 commentsJess, that is *precisely* the provenance of a bunch of my tassels and patches!
My kids tween and teen have spent the past few weeks building bike jumps for them and the neighbourhood kids. They even enlisted the ex builder neighbour to help them. It’s great seeing them all working together (young and old) having fun and learning skills. Their summer project is to build their own bike! Yikes!
I just want to share that it’s okay to put the lids on our tupperwares when we store them. The containers don’t get gross or mouldy and then you never have to look for lids again. A Scandinavian ex convinced me this was true and while the relationship failed, my tupperware storage system has endured :)
WAIT. Who said Billy Joel wasn’t cool? ;) The documentary is excellent… can’t wait for part 2!
What? That is just crazy talk. Billy Joel is so cool the ground freezes under his feet as he walks.
I don’t trust before and after advertising photos. They can do anything with lighting and filters.
Yeah that’s FOR SURE lighting and oil sheen, ha.
I can attest that this lotion is no joke. I don’t achieve quite that sheen, but it works really well. It’s light but moisturizing and absorbs nicely. Very easy to apply! They also just added a bunch of scents that look yummy, but I like the unscented.
Great post! I am wondering, do you ever eat at McDonald’s?
I never do…once you’re educated to how processed and manipulated all the ingredients are, and how prevalent cancer and other diseases are in the US, it seems extremely unwise to ever eat there under any circumstances. I think my last burger there was maybe in the 10th grade. I’m 60 now. I’ve never ever missed it or craved it because knowing how bad they are for us eliminated any interest.
Hanna I think everyone knows how processed and manipulated the ingredients are at McDonalds and most other places. Most people don’t eat there often enough for it to have an impact though. I remember my first ever trip to McDonalds in the 60s. I went with my best friend’s family who lived next door. We all liked into their corvair and her dad yelled ” keep your feet up !” There was a big hole in the floor ! Ha. Those were the days ! Ha. Anyway, I remember her mom handing me the bag of fries and paper wrapped hamburger over the back seat. Such a novelty ! Anyway, one of many memories growing up with my neighborhood pals. I still love McDonald’s although, not a fan of this increased Big Mac sauce they announced last year. Too much. Why mess with a 50 year old success. But I digress, which I guess my whole comment is a digression into nostalgia. I’m 66 by the way.
I love these kids jumping on their bikes. Partly I just love seeing the audacity of the young, but also I like to think about how so many of the photos were like taken my a proud/scared adult standing off to the side and letting their kid fly. The mum at what looks like a campground literally using her body to hold up the ramp – legend!
I’ve written about dipping lime popsicles in tequila, but yesterday I took Outshine pina colada popsicles to a pool party and we dipped them in Planteray Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum. It. Was. Incredible. What other combos?! I am about to embark on a delicious popsicle cocktail…
Strawberry Outshine + Prosecco= perfection.
In France it’s been since 1998 that we have à 35h workweek. Lots of jobs are from 9amto5pm with a 1h lunchbreak,Monday to Friday. Some work a little bit more to be able to take days off. I’ve lately seen scientists saying that to contribute to the massive changes of society we need to do facing climate change, all countries should take a 4days workweek. Of course it could be difficult to adapt to many jobs, but to me it makes so much sense! Life shouldn’t be spent squeezing little pockets of time seeing people we love while spending so much of the time of our lives in jobs that do not make sense for so many of us (when they don’t impact negatively our health)
I see that the dress also comes in a midi length, which is great for those of us who want a little more length. I also like the paisly pattern offered in the longer style: https://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=743531032&rrec=true&mlink=5050%2C12413545%2Cbrproduct1_rr_1&clink=12413545&vid=1#pdp-page-content
Wow, thank you for this! I loved the dress but saw a 5’3″ reviewer say it was mini on HER, and got spooked!
I just canceled my NYT membership to afford subscribing to Big Salad and it’s already given me immense joy instead of informed dread. Thank you :)))))))))))))))))
Okay, I like this idea!
You’ve inspired me !
One of my favorite easy dinners is what I call Things With Bread, a Grazing Meal, which is kind of like a party buffet, but smaller scale and less fussy. The goal is to mostly not cook, except maybe to briefly heat something up, set out the stuff, and then meander casually through the evening in harmonious leisure. I just get a loaf of bread with whatever else to have with it – good butter, olive oil, cheese, sliced meat, avocados, spreads, dippy stuff, sliced fruit, brined or marinated things (pickles, olives, sun-dried tomatoes). Paper plates and paper towels. Hard pass on the dress, but I’m in love with the bathroom tiles, and will for sure watch the Billy Joel doc.
Haha yes! We call that a “cheese party”!
Ha, took the quiz – I’m hired at Vogue in the 90s! Also would love to know where the dog photo was taken, the water is so clear.
Me too! We can be coworkers at 90s Vogue! LOL
SCHEHERAZADE – no worries! In my experience of getting mammograms yearly for the past 18 years, they will you have you change into a cape or other type of top they provide. Don’t wear deodorant. It’s a quick process and so important.
Since this community is the best, does anyone else remember (and can find) a post I swear I remember about why (or just how) kids always seem to fall asleep 20 minutes before landing on plane trips??
This is my kids’ religion. We live abroad and so hence travel internationally many times a year and my kids NEVER sleep, until the wheels are lowered for landing. I love an immigration line with a child who’s been up for 19 hours and then you’ve had to rouse from a 7 minute nap :)
I’m sorry but 36 hours is hardly what I’d call a reduced work week. It’s still too much. I do love the phrase “fellow pigeon fanciers” though ! :)
I know! Why isn’t is 32? That’s what makes sense…Oh…I guess that’s why, lol
I work as a preschool teacher, 30 hrs per week (year round). Monday- Thursday 8-3:30. I do work a few hours outside of this, some weeks, but not much. For a job in education, I realize how lucky I am. I wouldn’t be able to work at all if I had to do 40 hrs (health conditions). My quality of life having those extra off hours is tremendously better. I wish everyone had this. I also don’t commute, so even more time for myself and what’s really important.
Yes, Sasha in Montana, I used to work those hours like 8 to 2:30 in child / adol mental health day hospital. I was per diem so it wasn’t even every day. But yeah having those few hours before the evening sets in is precious. I returned to work after being off 2 and half years and the hours are basically 8:30 til 5. Oh my gosh it’s such a shock. It’s killing my soul. It’s 4 days per week but I am exhausted and it feels like full time. My whole nursing career before all that was part time 3 to 11. And like you, I was grateful every day for that flexibility. And knew it’s a privilege. Life goes too fast like this. Waiting for the weekend, waiting for 5pm. I’m at an age when I want life to go slower, not faster. I was actually just looking for 1 day per week to supplement social security but here I am. Ha. It’s all I could get at this point. I’m glad your hours are kind to you and I too wish the same for others. :)
My daughter is off for a week with her dad. I have a list a mile long of house projects to do and freezer-meals to make and movies to watch. One night dinner will be Ruffles with french onion dip and a fancy Belgian beer while I watch a non-PG movie. But I miss her so much. Hang in there until they’re safely back home!
Louisa, My girls are now grown, but when they were little and with their dad I always had Ruffles with French onion dip too! When they came home and asked what I did I always said I had a couple of friends over for dinner and watched a movie. The friends? Ben and Jerry. Sometimes Mrs. Rhodes or Sarah Lee visited as well. I always had a long list of projects to do, but usually just stared at the wall.
Craft Girl Summer…count me in!
Thanks for the link to co-parenting and custody. I really appreciate the breadth of wisdom and advice from this online community. I’m also the one who posted (with my name, oops) way back in May about talking with a good looking, thoughtful guy for an hour and a half. Here’s an update: we’ve talked some, we see each other regularly, and he’s getting over a long relationship and I’m in the middle of separation/divorce so now isn’t the time for anything but our own healing. I deserve to be chosen (that’s been a realization a long time coming) and I’m worth waiting for and being loved well. I’m also just perfect without a relationship. Thank you all for this space ❤️
In France we have a riddle where you have to guess “what touches or not” people say examples (“bateau”–> ça touche!, “fleur”–> ça ne touche pas!) And ask questions until they get frustrated and you help them guess the trick! 😁
I don’t know how everyone else’s mouths are shaped, but my lips touch just as much as twelve and twenty as they do at one …(yes, I tried it)
I am a million billion times in on the Billy Joel documentary! I’ve been listening to Billy Joel obsessively since I was a teenager in New Jersey. My husband, being a real mensch who loves me, took us out to see him in concert at the Alamodome in San Antonio on our tenth wedding anniversary. I used to shake my head at people crying over their favorite stars, but standing in my adopted home state surrounded by Texans singing Piano Man, tears streamed down my cheeks! Billy Joel forever and ever.
Your lips don’t touch when you say fs?
My top teeth touch my bottom lip but my lips don’t touch each other
I scored 28/32 on the Vogue quiz. I surprised myself lol.
Every Saturday morning I start by reading my favourite post of the week, there’s always something to tickle my fancy. I took the test, 19/32 so clearly I won’t be working for Vogue anytime soon. My weekend plans are that my son is coming over for lunch today, he’s actually coming because he said that he misses the dog, but I will still take it as a win . X
Thank you for the gift link! I’ve been wanting to try that quiz all week.
Wait, isn’t the “after” on the moisturizer picture just… a little greasy from being moisturized? I don’t get how it’s “amazing.” It just looks greasy to me, ha!
Same here! I was trying to figure out how the after pic was better.
Oh! That bathroom floor tile tickled my fancy and I just had to investigate further. Here’s a glimpse of the artist working her magic: https://www.suzannemanufacture.com/
thanks for sharing this! what beautiful footage of the artist at work!
Ohhhhh you blessed my life. Thank you.
And also, I LOVE her personal website! What a great website for an artist/craftsperson. Inspired to invest in that level of quality for myself. Anybody have any idea what that might cost?
Just over here putting fun patches on a thrifted jean jacket for my kid so… yes!
I don’t think the Vogue quiz is a gift link…….I keep getting the intro but that’s as far as I can go.
I noticed a number of commenters on the Times site itself said the same thing, so I think there must have a bug for some combo of browser/settings/device
Just looked at this dog’s feet in the water for about a whole, soothing minute. What a balm.
Same! Can anyone tell me about the breed/breeds? This dog looks like a good boy I used to know.
Can someone tell me her hair magic? Dying to know :) thanks!
Same! Ahhh! I almost subscribed to find out, which I guess is the point lol. Sigh
Essentially, airdry to allow natural waves to appear 🤫 😘
Think you mean Billy Joel not Joey :) (my super power is catching typos )
thank you!! xoxo
Don’t you mean Billy Joelle? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6SixHI-qvm0 😂 thank you Jim Gaffigan!
It’s actually William Joel. https://www.thecut.com/2017/08/goop-recommendations-ridiculous-ranked.html
What a nice way to call out a typo! I also see them but am afraid of coming off as rude. Stealing! :)
Tina, NYC – thanks for the Jim Gaffigan link! hahahah too funny!!! And Lil Paw – that Goop reference is hilarious too :P
Happy Friday! Yay! The best post of the week is here! Friendly note – it’s Billy Joel, not Joey :)
oh my gosh, weird that I made the same typo 2x! maybe because one of Anton’s best friends is a kid named joey :) thank you!
Aw, that makes sense! For a second I thought there was a new artist I wasn’t familiar with named Billy Joey. Anywayyy thanks for sharing the link to the documentary! It looks so good! I was so sad to hear that he was dealing with a brain disorder – sending all the positive thoughts for a speedy recovery! Also, I love the image of you listening to Billy Joel as a teen! YOU ARE THE COOLEST! And don’t forget it! Also, this reminded me of this Instagram post: BILLY JOEL JULY <3 https://www.instagram.com/p/DLkG4zrNtKc/?img_index=3
Can you imagine if Billy Joel was actually named “Billy Joey” (per the typo above)? Both double-first names, but Billy Joey makes me cackle for some reason! 😆
I think that Banana Republic dress both has the potential to be super cute AND, due to the waist-cinching ties’ absolutely tragic material, looks like something I’d wear to wait for a mammogram. If I bought one of these I would customize the living daylights out of it: I’d replace that lugubrious white cotton with, like, some mismatched vintage cord with tasseled ends, I’d bedazzle it with some of the whimsical iron-on patches I buy randomly before knowing where they’ll end up, and I’d maybe appliqué some fabric scraps at the hem just to be spicy. So, uh, anyone up for Craft Girl Summer with me, is I guess what I’m saying?
I’m in! I never click on the clothing links because Jo has such very different style than mine, but I had to see it from your comment. You’re spot on!
I have my first mammogram next month and until I read your comment I didn’t even think about what I needed to wear. Help me out!
So much yes to all of this.
Don’t overthink it @Scheherazade. Most imaging centers will send you info before your first scan. Just make sure your outfit is two-piece. A dress is generally a bad idea. You’ll be taken to a changing room and given a sort of kimono top thing to change into. You’ll leave your shirt and bra and whatever else in a locker there. Don’t wear deodorant or lotion the morning of as it can compromise images. Then pat yourself on the back for taking this simple step. Mammograms save lives.
YES! Crafty Girl Summer! And mammogram outfits! (almost spit out my soda when I read that :-D)
I meant this reminded me of an exam gown, Scheherazade, but for general mammo advice: wear a top you can remove separately (as opposed to a dress or a jumpsuit) so that you don’t have to strip all the way down for the mammo itself; bring deodorant with you, if you wear deodorant, as you will likely have to wipe it off there; and consider popping an ibuprofen or other OTC pain relief beforehand to make your experience a little easier. You got this!
Okay, I actually did buy one to do this and will report back! RELEASE THE FRIPPERIES!
Ok, I had already ordered the dress (big boobs need a waist cinch!!) but I 100% agreed with your comment as soon as I read it 😂 Thanks for the customization ideas!
“lugubrious white cotton” LOL
@Schederazade you’ll be topless and being moved into a whole host of strange positions by a hopefully wonderful technician. Wear bravery and humor!
Oh my gosh I bought the dress because I have a fundraiser where the colors are orange or blue (and I pretty much always follow Jo’s suggestions) and now I feel like I I have to replace the ties but I have no ideas how to do that! Lauren going to need your help!!
To Scheherazade – doesn’t matter a bit what you wear as you take everything off anyway. So maybe just something that’s simple to get on and off. And I’m always told no deodorant, perfume, moisturizer… Good luck and good for you for staying on top of preventive screenings!
“Whimsical iron-on patches I buy randomly before knowing where they’ll end up” – totally me all the time! I wanna see how this turns out Lauren O! Sounds fab!
I love this idea. I opened the link and thought it was cute, but it would look terrible on me. My waist goes a bit outward and anything that cinches is a bad idea. Loosening those ties so that the dressing is a shift (and replacing them) would be a start. Then, spicing it up with adornments sounds amazing!
Lauren O, Have you made it to M&J Trimming for their never-ending going out of business sale? Overall, the prices aren’t spectacularly low yet, but I can never resist purchasing a couple iron-on patches every time I swing by, as it almost feels like they’re giving them away already. xox