The Weekly Digress | 7.8

+ the only 3 things I'm eyeing for the NSALE

Gonna start this letter out with a BANG* (*poll) in reference to something so very unimportant but I want your opinion on nonetheless.

This Substack has obviously become more like my website/blog than anything else. When I first fired her up, I wasn’t exactly sure how the two would meld or not, so instead of using my name for the title, I used The Weekly Digress.

Now technically, the Weekly Digress is the actual free letter I send once a week whereas all other letters (for the most part) are paid and formatted differently than the standard READING/WATCHING/LISTENING TO/MAKING/SHOPPING of the Weekly Digress.

So my very unimportant question is, do I continue to call my Substack “The Weekly Digress” or do I rename it to something more all-encompassing of the variety of content I send and perhaps stick my name in the title?

Thank you for your attention on this gravely unserious query. And now for the good stuff.

SHOPPING

We’re going to start today’s WD with shopping because I have a lot of little things to go over and don’t want to wait until the very end.

So we all know that the overrated Nordstrom sale started today. This sale used to be the most exciting part of summer for shopping fiends, myself and my sister and mother included. However, in recent years, it’s grown to be kind of lame and predictable. Also, whereas I found it cute and fun to see every girl my age in the same exact NSALE pieces come the fall throughout my 20s, I now find it lame and uninspired.

All that said, I only have my eye on exactly three things for this year’s NSALE and here they are:

The Nuna TRVL stroller

We are a Nuna family. Before I had Ziggy, I visited my friend who had the Nuna PIPA urbn setup with the infant car seat and was instantly sold. It’s such wonderful quality and I liked the way it handled. It’s part of the sale, too, as well as the incredible Nuna RAVA rotating car seat that we just upgraded Ziggy to and has already saved my back from having to bend and contort him into his spot (I have a Subaru Outback, so it’s lower to the ground).

While we love the full-sized NUNA stroller, I realized the other week that we need a one-handed easy carry, self-folding situation for quick errands and future travel with Zig. The full-size one requires you to click the seat into the base every time, which is perfect for long strolls and whatnot, but not as ideal for the ease of other activities. Sure, we could get something cheaper, but I’ve come this far with NUNA; I’m not going back. The same friend has this TRVL stroller for back-up and says it’s fantastic. So I will definitely be adding to cart in whatever color is left by the time I can shop the sale!

Natori underwear

I got some of these a few months ago and they are so incredibly soft. They’re truly like butter against your skin, which makes them perfect to snooze in. I will definitely be treating myself to a few more during the NSALE.

AG mid-rise jeans

With my newfound discovery re: short torsos and high-waisted pieces don’t go well together (more on this in a future letter), my mission is to find mid-rise bottoms that I feel great in. I have no intel on how these AG jeans fit; all I know is that they’re mid-rise and on sale, so why not give them a shot? The light wash is a “classic” straight leg, whereas the dark wash is a “slim straight,” so I’ll most definitely order both to see if either works.

AND THAT’S IT!

Now let’s talk about non-Nordstrom things.

Wait, actually. I did buy this pair of $38 big emerald cut CZ studs from Nordie’s the other day and really loved them. I’m trying to wear more sparkly studs because a) having subtle sparkle near my face really brightens it up and b) Ziggy LOVES to yank my hoops, no matter the size.

On that note, I also got these studs from ShopBop that are more expensive, but are now my everyday, never-take-out-unless-switching-to-other-earrings-for-a-look studs. AND! ShopBop is Amazon’s sister, so you can get 25% off for Prime Day (yes, I just realized this and am returning my studs and reordering them on a discount, thank you).

Attention fellow big-chested girlies: I got this sports bra by Harper Wilde and LOVE IT. It’s so supportive, has adjustable straps, and is stretchy enough to get on and off easily but solid enough to hold the girls in.

I also got a pack of these Maven Thread workout headbands because they’re the only ones that actually stay put and come in such a wide variety of colors and patterns (note to all: DO NOT BUY the Athleta headbands. They don’t stay on for shit).

As I continue to throw away old underwear that’s either seen its final day or no longer fits, I’m replacing my supply slowly. I have HATED every SKIMS bra I’ve tried, but the underwear is a different story. I got three pairs of these plain briefs, and three of these lace briefs and love love love them all so much. Looks like they’re having a deal right now so every size is almost sold out, so maybe bookmark it for later when they restock.

Lastly, this baby splash pad is a summer life saver. One of my besties suggested it to me, I listened, and Ziggy loves it. It’s perfect for an afternoon activity and really simple.

BRB . dead.

READING

I finished Isola, and I’m really not sure I’d recommend it. I liked it fine enough, but it wasn’t exactly riveting? It was more depressing than anything, and I’m not really the kind to suggest ultra-depressing content unless it truly moves me. Isola didn’t move me in that way, but it was an interesting read and from an entirely different time period and POV than I’m used to reading (France in the 1500s). It’s essentially a story about a woman whose legal guardian strips her of all her property and fortune, forces her to sail on a boat with him to New France (Canada), loses his shit when he discovers his secretary and her are in love, and casts them away to a completely desolate island where he leaves them to die and how she survives. It’s based on real events; alas, these events were recorded in the 1500s, so the author had to get creative and engross herself in the main character to create a story for her.

The majority of books I’ve read so far this year have been sweeping dramas, so I decided to take a sharp left turn and do something I never ever do — pick up a “beach read.” It couldn’t have been a lazier, less thoughtful pick; I literally just looked around on my Kindle’s recommendations page and selected The Do-Over: A totally laugh-out-loud, feel-good romantic comedy. Yes, that’s the full title. Seems a bit… overcompensating, no? It makes me laugh. The title, that is. So far, the book is proving why I tend to stay away from rom-com titles — I just find them predictable and trite. Alas, while the writing isn’t great, the story is starting to take shape and I’m somewhat invested so I’m gonna keep going!

WATCHING

Mountainhead: This is a new made-for-streaming movie starring Steve Carrell, Jason Schwartzman, and Rami Yusef (WHO I LOVE) as tech CEOs and it was terrible? It’s just so specific and so inside that I’m not sure anyone who isn’t a tech bro would understand it? Zac and I got about 15-20 minutes in, decided we hated it, and actually fast forwarded through the movie to see what happened. It’s a super dark comedy and, again, so incredibly distinct with its language and jargon, I don’t think many would enjoy it? But maybe I’m wrong (I’m not).

The Brutalist: “You know what sounds fun? Watching a depressing, dark, twisted movie on a Saturday night with the limited alone time we have!” Me, on Saturday night. The Brutalist is a brutal watch for both its context and its length (3+ hours with a built-in intermission. Kinda classy). It was a beautiful, thoughtful production and Adrien Brody definitely earned that Oscar (as cringy as he is IRL), but my life didn’t change from watching it. I didn’t think much about it after. Honestly, my biggest takeaway is how unattractive Joe Alwyn is and how the fuck Taylor was ever in head-over-heels-writing-songs-about-him kind of love with the guy. Like, truly WTF???

Stick: Yes, the first two episodes involve a lot of Owen Wilson’s infamous whisper-voice (no “WOWWWs” though) and it’s a bit grating, BUT this show is fabulous. Some are referring to it as the Ted Lasso of golf, but I’m not mostly because I never got into Ted Lasso. The scripts are funny, smart, heartfelt, and the acting is great across the board. There’s also a heart-wrenching twist that will have you in tears and maybe feeling guilty for making fun of poor Owen. Highly recommend Stick!

The Wire: I realize I’m *checks watch* 23 years later, but hear me out. I watched some of The Wire years ago when I lived alone (probably to impress some guy who was obsessed with it), but it just wasn’t the right time for me to truly pay attention and take it all in. Now nearing 40 and with Zac solidly into his 40s, we started from the top (Zac watched the entire show when it was on TV), and I am LOVING IT. It is so well-written, the mess of characters are all so intriguing, and I’m just super excited we decided to do this. I won’t lie — Amy Poehler’s recent episode with Idris Elba definitely inspired me to revisit the show.

LISTENING TO

Speaking of listening to things…

This Blocks episode with the UK Office creator, Stephen Merchant, was a delight.

As was this Therapuss x RIDE collaboration that will now be my go-to comfort podcast episode on rough days.

MAKING

I can’t believe how long this Digress has gotten, so I’m gonna just list these real quick so I can carry on with my day:

The best ground beef taco meat I’ve ever, ever made and couldn’t be simpler. Will never use another recipe.

If you haven’t made

Caroline Chambers

Skillet Cheddar Turkey Burgers, WYD?

Brocc Your Body’s panko crusted sheet pan salmon and her grilled chicken pesto salad are both absolute slam dunks and are now on rotation here.

Whew. That was a lot. I hope it serves you well. Share this letter if you want — it’s free!

xox,

EGM