The Noteworthy Edit #9: I'm a bow girl through and through
My week in links - catching up on films, lots of shopping and sweet fragrance
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I haven’t been fully swept up into “new year, new me” hype as such, but I am committed to little tweaks that I know will only be better for me in the long run.
First and foremost, movement. I’ve never enjoyed going to the gym, I find the atmosphere daunting and overwhelming even after I’ve gotten into the swing of a routine but the goal is to push through the discomfort and find something, anything that I enjoy doing when it comes to this area.
Secondly, I’m releasing myself from the bondage of Deliveroo and Uber Eats…any food delivery service. I know I’ll revert back to that convenience here and there, but if there were ever to be a Deliveroo/Uber Eats wrapped, it would be over for me. I’m actually too scared to know how much I have spent there. I think I am the sole contributor to the CEO’s grandchildren’s pensions at this point, so the shame ends here.
📖 READING:
When I was at home in Virginia I read my first book of the year, which was Dolly Alderton’s Good Material. It was my first foray into Dolly’s writing outside of her journalism, which surprised me. I had seen the adaptation of Everything I Know About Love, so I had a feeling that it would be entirely my shit and it didn’t disappoint.
The book follows 35-year-old Andy, who has been dumped by his long-term girlfriend Jen, while he navigates the devastation of moving back home, finding a new place to live, rebounds, friendships, career while simultaneously trying to understand what the hell happened to them. As someone who is also in their mid-thirties and has survived many a heartbreak over the years, it came at just the right time for me as a reminder that these experiences are universal - and that no matter how lovelorn and pathetic I may feel, there is always, always hope. And that our connections with one another, no matter how short or long are always worth it.
🎧 LISTENING:
I can’t remember how I stumbled across this, but resident Sad Boy Paul Mescal made a Spotify mixtape for his new film with Andrew Scott, All Of Us Strangers (which I am desperate to watch)! Lots of Mitski, Elliott Smith, Adrianne Lenker, Low, Julien Baker…let’s just say this is not an upbeat vibe.
🎥 WATCHING:
Every time I fly back home to Virginia over Christmas I use it as my time to catch up on all the films I’ve wanted to watch, and the flight home is the perfect time to do just that! I’ve also made a Letterboxd account because I am terrible at keeping track of what I’ve watched, so follow me over there!
Now let’s run through a few faves.
The Adults
Eric (played by Michael Cera) takes what is meant to be a quick trip home to visit his sisters but the nostalgia of home, his strained relationships and his poker addiction keeps him in his childhood hometown much longer than expected. I really enjoyed watching the sibling dynamics in this film, especially as an only child, it was interesting to see the roles each person plays and how quickly you slip back into your childhood self.
Dumb Money
If you remember the GameStop short squeeze from January 2021, then you’ll love this - even if you don’t, this was a fantastic portrayal of a true story that saw the average investor take on hedge-fund billionaires and bankrupt them. As someone who knows less than nothing about stocks and investing, I went into it thinking I would hate it, but ultimately it’s a film about the underdog (and subcultures), which I love.
Shortcomings
At first glance, I think this was primarily marketed as a rom-com, but is definitely a study on the impact of what happens when a grown man cannot interrogate himself and then proceeds slowly destroy his romantic relationships, his friendships, his career and ultimately himself.
It was hard to watch at times because the main character, Ben, is so deeply unlikable and unfortunately reminded me so much of an ex of mine (don’t date cinephiles, seriously, don’t). Ben is so unwavering in his unwillingness to change and place blame on everyone else except for him, that it makes you want to scream, but overall very fun and nice to see Justin H. Min in a lead role.
I remember seeing the trailer for this and was excited to see that it was being directed and produced by Randall Park!
Joy Ride
As we’re on a little Asian excellence moment, I finally watched Joy Ride, which was the perfect thing to watch on a girls night with my cousin and my best friend when I was back home.
In the film, four best friends (played by Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu) travel through China in order to find one of their birth mothers. This film is wildly funny, raunchy and encapsulates the messiness of friendship. Also, I’m sorry so many hot people?! Obviously the leads, but then we have Daniel Dae Kim, Desmond Chiam, Alexander Hodge, Chris Pang need to be on our screens more. The media have been trying to tell us that Asian men aren’t sexy as hell for too long and justice needs to be served.
👗 WEARING:
When we entered the bow era, I knew that this was it for me. I had found my rightful place in the world again.
I had a real moment where I felt like I had to move away from anything that was “hyper feminine” for fear of not being taken seriously and I think that’s something I just need to work on in my own mind (and perhaps in therapy). I felt like dresses were “too easy” and that I wasn’t flexing my style muscles in a way that felt legitimate (welcome to the inner workings of my mind, even typing this out I know this sounds utterly ridiculous) so when the likes of Sandy Liang, Simone Rocha, Molly Goddard were back in the forefront of our minds, I was like yes! Fun, and whims! Frills, lace, bows!
What I learned in seeing women wearing these things is that there is nothing inherently disempowering about it. If anything, it’s quite bold to be loud and confronting in this way, despite the general feeling of looks like these to be very soft and passive - I know The Cut ultimately disagrees with me.
I’ve also done a bit of sale shopping, despite my best efforts at not being tempted, but these are things that have been high on my list for the longest time. Hades Wool had a short sale so I quickly snapped up the Alphabet Knit with an “N” on it that I had coveted desperately for ages.
I also got this Boden Bristol wool check coat which I love on the model, but definitely needs sizing up at least two sizes to achieve this same look. I wish I had listened to the reviews as that’s what one person had said there, so she shall be going back!
I truly am a sucker for a coat because I saw this Warehouse Premium Wool Blend Check Coat on Klaudia and Lee and needed it immediately! I listened to Klaud’s advice about sizing down one and it fits perfectly, so I’m glad I snapped it up.
I’m never not struggling to find jeans that work for me, but I went to Madewell in Tysons Corner and I just love that you can purchase from the Curve, Petite and Plus ranges in store. No one is doing it like that and I find it completely impossible to buy jeans online, I have to try them on!
I bought the Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg jean in black and the petite leg length and the Curvy Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg jean in the Altoona Wash.
When I was back home I also bought these Vince Camuto Kamie boots in Tabacco Suede, which I feel would be perfect for toughening up a lot of the dresses I have, especially in the spring.
From this point on the buying slows down expeditiously, I’m going to talk about this more in a later newsletter and share a few people I’m following who have made me interrogate my spending habits in the best way.
I’ve gotten into fragrance, which is something that I also wasn’t expected (also an expensive habit which, I am trying to avoid) but when I was back in Virginia I found Arielle Shoshana, a boutique perfume shop near me that specialises in unique and hard-to-come-by fragrances. When I went in, the sales associate told me that their days of the week fragrances had gone viral on TikTok, and I can attest to them being gorgeous.
One of my favourites I bought from there was the Akro Bake perfume, which is a zesty lemon, rice milk and vanilla cake-like flavour, it’s utterly delicious and sweet without being sickly.
They offer free samples in store as well, which I really appreciate as buying tester packs can also get really expensive!
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.
Intrigued by the Akro Bake scent!
you are such a wealth of knowledge and i am delighted that you have a newsletter!