The Noteworthy Edit #11: billboard era, boys with daddy issues, gingham for spring
My week in links - love and the algorithm, a song for Palestine, dressing for the season change
It’s been unseasonably warm this week so I can feel the ice in my body start to melt away. I get the January blues so badly, so I’ve been happy to see the back of last month. I actually really love Valentine’s Day despite all the commercial messaging and the unnecessary pressure, but ultimately I love seeing people walk around with bouquets of flowers and little gifts. Small gestures reminding us that we are loveable. I have always been soppy.
I was on a FREAKING BILLBOARD last week, which is the most ridiculous and unfathomable thing I could think of to happen to me. But as natural as it feels to want to turtle and shy away from talking about my accomplishments, I am incredibly proud. Working on Mixed Up has been the absolute joy of my life so to see it displayed in Leciester Square is truly a dream come true. Please do listen to the podcast on Spotify!
I’m feeling so grateful for the friendships I have forged over the years and how they have deepened over time. That’s not to say that I always feel like I’m doing the best job of maintaining them, but they really are the foundation in my life.
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📖 READING:
I have books overflowing right now and I have been too busy and disorganised to sit myself down and actually read something all the way through, which I hate. Somehow my weeks started to get packed and while I usually love reading before bed, I’ve just been crashing as soon as I climb into bed at the end of the day.
But I read When Love and the Algorithm Don’t Mix by Apryl Williams for TIME this week, which validated so much of what I’ve found as a user of dating apps and how racial bias, sexual racism and stereotypes have factored into my experience as someone who technically falls out step with a “mainstream” user.
Meanwhile on Valentine’s Day, six dating app users filed a class-action lawsuit against Match Group (the company that own Hinge, Tinder, The League and Match.com) citing addictive, game-like features fo encourage compulsive.
The suit, brought by six plaintiffs in states including New York, California and Florida, argues that dating app parent company Match Group gamifies the services "to transform users into gamblers locked in a search for psychological rewards that Match makes elusive on purpose."
While Hinge's advertising slogan boasts that it is "designed to be deleted," the lawsuit claims Match Group's dating apps are really designed to turn users into "addicts" who do not find true love and instead keep purchasing subscriptions and other paid perks to keep the publicly traded company's revenue flowing.
I’m not sure how successful this will be, but regardless it sets a precedent and it highlights the fact that these companies are not interested in compatibility, or its users falling in love, they just want our money.
🎧 LISTENING:
I’ve spoken about how much I love Ethel Cain before, and I’m doing it again because she recently released a new song that she wrote for Palestine, titled “من النهر,” which translates from Arabic to “From the River.”
She posted about what inspired the new song as well on her Instagram.
On the 21st of February, Parliament is voting on a ceasefire in Gaza and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign is lobbying at Westminster. If you are unable to make it, they have a resource to write to your MP and encourage them to vote for a ceasefire.
🎥 WATCHING:
I watched The Iron Claw on Tuesday, not really knowing what I was getting myself into. Every man I’ve ever dated has loved wrestling, so ultimately that element of the story didn’t phase me, but what I wasn’t prepared for was 132 minutes of toxic masculinity and unresolved daddy issues.
It follows the true and tragic story of the Von Erich family, who are a legacy family in professional wrestling and chronicles their lives in the spotlight in the 1980s.
It was phenomenal and devastating, just how I like my movies. Zac Efron really blew me away with his performance!
👗 WEARING:
I’m feeling a lot more like myself again when it comes to getting dressed - I think the promise of a new season has me feeling excited. The morning light has arrived earlier, I’m not getting out of bed begrudgingly.
Aligne is a brand that I’ve really fallen head-over-heels with - their pieces feel timeless and modern at the same time. The older I get, the more put-together I want to feel but not like I’ve had to really try hard. I also don’t want to feel too stuffy. Their denim is really fresh, lots of nipped in waists to create beautiful silhouettes, midi and maxi skirts and relaxed tailoring. I adore! I was invited to a press breakfast with them to celebrate the start of LFW with Who What Wear and I was able to pick an outfit to wear so I went for the Martello check waistcoat with the matching Kinga pleated skirt. I wore them with my beaded Charles & Keith loafers, which I absolutely love - such a great twist on a classic!
I’m having a denim moment as well, I’m desperate to try the Free People barrel leg jeans, but also this Aligne horseshoe pair. There’s something about that shape!
I’ve also fallen for this denim trenchcoat from M&S that feels so classic and contemporary. As always, I’m here for a Canadian tuxedo vibe.
About me: I'm Nicole, the writer of The Noteworthy. I’m also a content creator and the co-host of the award-winning Mixed Up podcast. Having been chronically online since the age of 13, you can also find me on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Pinterest. I’m working on my first book, The Half Of It, which you can pre-order here.