OUTFIT DETAILS: Cinq A Sept dress (borrowed, not yet available but I love this dress from the same collection) // Vintage earrings (similar style here) // WoodWick candles

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I don't think I'm alone when I say, the events of the past few weeks have left me absolutely gutted. And heartbroken. And scared. And sad. And yes, angry, too.

And while much of the dust is still settling (with a lot of work on the horizon), last weekend I made sure to retreat in the ways I could to best reset myself for the days ahead. I slept in. I started a new book and avoided my to-do list. I went for a long walk around the neighborhood, researching the history of buildings I passed along the way. I started a new Netflix series — Pretend It's A City (with author Fran Lebowitz who I wrote about yesterday). I walked around the Met with a friend, making sure to visit my beloved Degas' ballerinas in the French Impressionists section. I treated myself to a croissant from Ladurée and indulged in a hot toddy or two to warm up from the cold in the evenings. Essentially, it was just the unplug I needed, the hug I could wrap myself up in. And intend to do a lot of the same this coming weekend.

Make no mistake, the feelings of uncertainty and sadness still remain but my spirits do feel noticeably lifted. My sincere hope is that however you can, be gentle with yourself this weekend. Be soft to your spirit. Unplug when you need it. Take that long walk if it's calling your name. It might just be the retreat you didn't know you needed.

ONE // The unlikely connection between wellness influencers and the pro-Trump rioters

A fascinating read, one that I think illuminates just how easily conspiracy theories can be peddled as truth under the guise of "wellness intentions." Would love to hear your guys' thoughts on this.

TWO // Fran Lebowitz on race and racism

I've been digging through a lot of Fran's previous essays, articles and this one from a 1997 Vanity Fair issue, one race and racism in America, I found to be extremely poignant and timely. Here's a quote that stuck out to me:

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"...children of movie stars, like white people, have at—or actually in—their fingertips an advantage that is genetic. Because they are literally the progeny of movie stars they look specifically like the movie stars who have preceded them, their parents; they don’t have to convince us that they can be movie stars. We take them instantly at face value. Full face value. They look like their parents, whom we already know to be movie stars. White people look like their parents, whom we already know to be in charge. This is what white people look like—other white people. The owners. The people in charge. That’s the advantage of being white. And that’s the game. So by the time the white person sees the black person standing next to him at what he thinks is the starting line, the black person should be exhausted from his long and arduous trek to the beginning."

THREE // Why is fashion still ignoring #MeToo moments?

I've had numerous DM conversations about the recent Alexander Wang sexual assault allegations and I think it all highlights the fashion industry's inability to reckon with itself when it comes to #MeToo moments. And I'm not entirely sure why that is. This article begs the question quite well -- and as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

FOUR // Watch this: Langston Hughes' "Let America Be America Again"

I actually meant to share this video months ago when it came out in October, but I think given the climate right now, it's a perfect watch -- 50 actors, organized by the non-profit organization WordTheater -- read Langston Hughes immortal poem "Let America Be America Again" and I think this particular stanza is oh so timely and accurate:

O, let America be America again—
The land that never has been yet—
And yet must be—the land where every man is free.

FIVE // Find the place you love. Then move there.

For a long time, New York was that beacon for me. While I'm not leaving the city anytime soon, I think this article has made me reflect on how these beacons change throughout our lives and the chapters we create.

SIX // Nancy Pelosi and her impeachment suit

Does House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's suit look familiar? Like oddly familiar? Perhaps from a previous impeachment vote? I loved this interpretation from the article:

"Always one to use a sartorial statement to double down on her political ones, Pelosi sent the message loud and clear: 'Can you believe we’re doing this, again?'"

SEVEN // What's wrong with the way we work?

Americans are told to give their all—time, labor, and passion—to their jobs. But do their jobs give enough back?

EIGHT // 3 things making me smile

We're watching One Night in Miami tonight -- about the actual 1964 meeting of Cassius Clay, Malcolm X, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke -- the trailer looks insanely good! // The New Yorker wrote a beautiful piece about the new Moynihan Train Hall (where I went on a recent neighborhood passeggiata). // Also on our watch list this weekend? The new Audrey documentary and I love how how real it makes her seem past the veneer of being an icon.

Photos by Allie Provost