Things to Read, Watch, Wear and Love
the movie i'm convinced is going to be my favorite of the year, a quiz to find out what habit will boost your happiness, what i can't stop wearing, and more.
Oh, hi! It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? I set out on starting a Substack last fall and then, well, life got busy and while it hasn’t necessarily slowed down, I’ve missed having a creative outlet so here I am once again. This feels like the perfect time to introduce a new series, Things to Read, Watch, Wear and Love, which will essentially be a round up of a few of my favorite things each month.
Let’s dive into a few of my favorites from January.
Reading and Watching
Reading: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow which absolutely broke me apart by the end. I loved how this book wasn’t necessarily a romance novel, but still a book about love and human connection.
“And what is love in the end? Except the irrational desire to put competitiveness aside in order to ease someone else’s journey through life?”
I also started The Creative Act and Strega, both of which I’m really enjoying but haven’t gotten too far into yet.
Watching: Past Lives (2023), which also broke me apart by the end. I’m afraid that I may have already watched my favorite movie this year. The entire film was so incredibly beautiful - the cinematography, the score, the dialogue - I enjoyed every moment captured within its 1 hour and 46 minute runtime.
Other favorites watched this past month include Poor Things (2023), and Love Story (1970).
Listening To
New and old faves that I’ve had on repeat this past month in the playlist above and a few of my favorite podcast episodes below.
How to Keep Time by The Atlantic: This mini podcast series explores our relationship with time and how to reclaim it.
How to Discover Your Own Taste, The Ezra Klein Show: A discussion on how the internet encourages everyone to dress the same and how it’s dulling our ability to know what we like.
Insights About the Habits that We Want Most, More Happier with Gretchen Rubin: A look into the most common results in Gretchen Rubin’s latest quiz, Habits for Happiness, that breaks down the habit you need to focus on that will help boost your happiness. You can take the quiz here. My results? “Deepen your relationships by making regular connections”. I’m not surprised.
Wearing
Sweater vests! These have been my go-to lately. They make any outfit look a little more put-together, plus it’s an extra layer to wear under your coat on cold winter days.
A few of my favorites,
This heart-printed sweater vest would be adorable for Valentine’s Day.
A classic option that would be easy to dress up.
You can never go wrong with a cable-knit version.
How fun is this sequined sweater vest!?
The colors in this one would be so perfect for spring.
Houndstooth is always a good option!
Also, a TikTok on how I’ve styled sweater vests lately and a roundup of outfits I wore in January.
This Past Month on the Blog
Styling a Classic Blue-Button Up. Adding a playful touch to an otherwise classic outfit.
Style Edit: Tied with a Bow. Can you tell that I’m really into bows lately?
Get the Look: Ali MacGraw's Style in Love Story. Forever an icon when it comes to preppy-Ivy League style.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite poems
Invitation Mary Oliver Oh do you have time to linger for just a little while out of your busy and very important day for the goldfinches that have gathered in a field of thistles for a musical battle, to see who can sing the highest note, or the lowest, or the most expressive of mirth, or the most tender? Their strong, blunt beaks drink the air as they strive melodiously not for your sake and not for mine and not for the sake of winning but for sheer delight and gratitude— believe us, they say, it is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in the broken world. I beg of you, do not walk by without pausing to attend to this rather ridiculous performance. It could mean something. It could mean everything. It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote: You must change your life.
Thank you for letting me take up space in your inbox. <3
Love,
Chelsea
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