I feel sheepish writing this because I’ve been comically absent from this newsletter. I didn’t write a single thing this month because I spent more days sick than not. A long, punishing cold turned into bouts of vertigo and migraines so I spent lots of days horizontal and taking off work. I’m finally on the other side of it so I’m excited to get back to a more regular publishing schedule (weekly, Tuesdays-ish) and continuing the Black Marxism read-along. I also wrote an essay about Sula, which, since finishing it, I think about all the time.
I also had a bookmark designed by the very talented Ixele Simon, see below, which will be sent to paid subscribers as a thank you. If you want one (and are a paid sub to this newsletter) fill out this google form, and I’ll send you one in the mail.
Anyway, onto the post.
Highlights from April
At the top of the month, my second book Fresh Sets came out. The release of this book has been fun and markedly less stressful than Homebodies, and for that I am grateful. We celebrated the release with an event at Word Bookstore in Greenpoint, where I chatted about all things nails with my coworker (and friend!) Asiah, who’s the beauty editor at The Cut.
Somewhere in the middle of the month , our friend Kendra made a TikTok about the biscuits. It was a total surprise—she orders often!—so we were excited she shouted us out. What we didn’t expect was that the video would go slightly viral which has resulted in a wave of new orders and expanding our operations quickly. We’re now selling out in under five minutes and doing hundreds of orders a month. With that said, I’m deep in my biscuit wife bag, which has left room for little else. I expect I’ll be a little less underwater come May once I adjust.
Lacey came into town for a weekend with her mom (the name inspiration for Homebodies’s Mickey!) and we snuck in a quick dinner before she flew back to LA. When we’re together I’m 14 again and we’re eating Chinese food in a classroom and giggling and gossiping. I’m also 16 at the Woodley McDonald’s, splitting a large fry and sweet tea. Somehow I’m 18 too and we’re going to separate colleges and 22 living on different coasts and chasing our dreams and future me is in there too, I just don’t know it yet. With her, time collapses and four hours passes in a blink. Being together is incomparable—I suggest everyone find them a best friend like her in this lifetime. It’s worth it!
My sister turned 28, so for the next couple months we’re just a year apart. I went down to DC to celebrate, ice cream cake from Carvel in tow. I woke her up singing happy birthday and even though she acts like it’s whatever, I know she loved it. We went to dinner at Fogo de Chao and spent the next day at the MVA so she could renew her license.
My grandmother being the most beautiful woman in the world C and I have been pretty good about date nights this month. We saw Terrace Martin at Blue Note (he did a short residency there) which as phenomenal and then D.R.A.M. the following week. I like D.R.A.M.’s concert a lot less, mostly because he was saying weird shit between songs. I texted multiple people to let them know he lost a fan that night.
I went to a 9:45 PM showing of Sinners opening weekend with C and Yaminah. It was way past my bedtime and I practically ran out the theater afterward because I was so freaked out but all in all I’m happy I went. It’s the kind of thing that deserves to be seen in IMAX. The juke joint scene is forever etched in my brain.
I went on a second friend date and this time we decided to do pilates, only we were both five minutes late. The pilates studio locks the door the minute class starts so we were SOL. Making the best of it, we got breakfast down the street at Serenoco and caught up. After that we went to Word to buy books and then Van Leeuwen for ice cream. It ended up being a great time.
We did easter dinner at the house with the Queens crew and the spread was insane (I’m getting hungry writing about it). C roasted lamb and glazed a ham, seared some cauliflower and sat it on a bell pepper puree. Rae braised and roasted carrots, topping them with pomegranate and goat cheese. C also baked yeast rolls and they finally turned out rightI Allie made a lamb cake. We had a great time. Nights like that remind me that traditions are totally manufactured by us and there’s something cool about creating your own magic. Can’t wait to run it back.
My baby sister came into town for a day because my stepmom had her high school reunion. I ended up watching a movie with my dad for a bit and working on admin for biscuit stuff before heading to the New York Hall of Science with Tasmin and Allison. It was incredible. 10/10 recommend. After, we went for ice cream and then to the bookstore because I have no self control.
Noor is moving to LA so we did a little family farewell dinner at Cote to see her off. We also spent the last day of April (the day before she left) on City Island, eating crab legs and staring out at the Bay. I’ve loved having one of my best friends only six minutes away from me for the past few years and even though I’ll miss her bad I’m excited for her next adventure. Now she and my other best friend will be on the same coast (and in the same city!) so I’ll be able to hang out with them simultaneously. I hate Los Angeles but will probably be forced to visit.
I’ve become obsessed with this jazz-singing puppet on Tiktok.
Right at the end of the month, Stella had another scare so now we’ve transitioned to medication. She hates it, so we’ve been spending the past few days trying to figure out how to get her to take it without traumatizing her. If anyone has tips for sneaking liquid meds into stuff so a picky cat will eat it, please let me know.
It’s getting nice outside, which is exciting on all fronts. I had an ice cream cone to celebrate the beginning of soft-serve season—so-named to mark three consecutive days warmer than 70 degrees.
Reading
Vantage Point by Sara Silgar
I finished one book this month. It’s about a Kennedy-like family with a string of bad luck that’s maybe a curse. It centers on Teddy, the brother running for senate and Clara, the sister, along with the brother’s wife, Jess, who also happens to be Clara’s best friend. It has a sort-of thriller-y vibe and the writing was evocative. It was gine!
Friends of the Museum by Heather McGowan
I’m a little less than 100 pages into Friends of the Museum which follows a hectic day at a Met like institution. So far I’m loving the writing and format, even though it feels a little hectic. More on this once I actually finish.
Watching
As always, so much TV.
Sinners (In theaters) - I knew very little about Ryan Coogler’s southern drama going into it and I’m happy I watched it sort of sight unseen. I’ll keep it spoiler-free but I really enjoyed this film, which is both about the supernatural but also about making joy under the thumb of injustice and snatching moments of freedom in an environment that doesn’t let up. I left the film feeling freaked out (I’m easily scared) but also inspired by what movies can do. Also whoever said this movie is for the eaters was absolutely right. It’s grown as hell and I like that. Another thought: I’m deeply impressed by his technical expertise married with his ability to create something that resonates for every viewer. It’s challenging to do both—be bold and artistic and commercially viable and Coogler’s mastery of this is worthy of discussion.
Black Bag (Available to rent) - We rented this spy thriller during one of our at-home date nights.
The premise is enticing: one-half of a married spy couple is suspected of betraying the nation so the other is forced to choose between love and country. It’s a tight plot and an enjoyable watch. I’m also a Cate Blanchett fan and will watch literally anything she’s in (Tár is one of my favorite movies of all time) so it was an easy sell.
Dying for Sex (Hulu) - Tahirah raved about this when it initially came out and because I trust her taste implicitly, I had to watch. I like it! There’s something soapy about this show about a terminally ill woman’s quest to rediscover her desire. It’s funny and emotionally poignant, but towards the end of the season it started to feel a bit formulaic, in that the emotional resonance of a moment is quickly dissolved by humor. I liked that the show didn’t shy away from the character’s humanity—Molly was incredibly selfish and Nikki is self-sacrificing as a way to fill the void of her perceived disorganization and incompetence. I liked the portrayal of this complex friend dynamic that’s held together by sincere love and devotion. All in all, solid show.
The Studio (Apple TV) - The Studio feels like a show that was popped in a keyword blender—shows about Hollywood, procedural, comedy, etc.—and tossed on TV but I’m eating it up. It’s about a newly promoted studio head navigating the new TV and film landscape, balancing his ambition to make highbrow art with satisfying the money-hungry board. Every episode tackles a new section of the industry. My favorite so far is the one where Greta Gerwig is shooting a scene and Matt (played by Seth Rogen) wants to sit in and give notes. They’re trying to keep him happy while also getting the scene done—a one-shot taking place at sunset. It’s a comedy of manners and errors and very entertaining to watch.
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing (Netflix) - All of the Youtube family vlogger kids and kidfluencers are now in their early 20s and ready to tell their side of the story. The general vibes are that they’re being exploited in one way or another, whether through overly sexualized personas or long hours with little to no pay. It’s an incredibly predatory environment, which is shocking to no one. This one was particularly disturbing and while I’m glad some of these kids had intervening parents who protected them while still allowing them to live out their pseudo child actor dreams it’s deeply problematic overall.
The Pitt (HBO) - I succumbed to The Pitt Industrial Complex and while I didn’t leave with some big crush on Dr. Robbie, I am obsessed with Dr. Ellis (fine shit!) and have a deep love for Dana, the charge nurse. I never got into the Greys Anatomy, ER thing but I really liked the format of this, with things happening over a single day. I’m also in awe of the writer’s ability to manage a truly dizzying amount of storylines and keep things coherent. I get it, I like it!
Gold & Greed (Netflix) - I really enjoyed this documentary about a real-life treasure hunt started by an eccentric libertarian named Forest Fenn. He hid a chest of gold somewhere in the Rockies, and told people it was hidden in clues from his book, which set off a wave of treasure hunters who wanted to get their hands on the gold. Brilliant marketing on his part. Fun documentary too.
See (Apple TV) - I finally watched the final season of this, which I put off for two years because I didn’t want the show to end. Now I know. I’m going to miss it. It’s one of the best shows I’ve seen in the past five years and wish more people would tap in.
Hacks (HBO) - Hacks is back! The stakes are raised this season because Deborah (played by Jean Smart) and Ava (played by Hannah Einbinder) are becoming equals, which is straining their tension-filled relationship. This has become a comfort show for me and I’m happy it’s on.
Thomas Crown Affair (1999) (Tubi) - My dad loves the 60s version of this movie, but when I saw the 90s-era adaptation on streaming I was excited to watch it. He believes it’s the lesser movie, and I would have to agree. Similarly to the original, it’s about a bored billionaire who has so much money he has nothing better to do than become an art thief (lol). Enter Catherine Benning, an art bounty hunter, who is tasked with retrieving the stolen Monet. She’s oversexed and instantly attracted to Pierce Brosnan but puts up a brave front for approximately 20 minutes, pretending she’s doing this for the love of the game and not falling for this man, This movie is okay but I loved the visuals. There’s a scene where they take a glider into the mountains and fly over the Hudson Valley that made my scalp tingle.
Luther: The Fallen Son (Netflix) - My dad came over for a bit and we watched this movie, which is a spinoff standalone of the British crime show Luther. I’ve watched a few episodes of that but didn’t really care for it. I did however, like this movie, which follows a serial killer that Luther is uniquely skilled to suss out. The only problem, he’s in jail. It’s a fun one! Cynthia Erivo is in it. Nothing groundbreaking but It’s the kind of made-for-tv movie that livens up a Friday night.
You (Netflix) - I’m sort of ready for this show to be over, but I’m going to watch it until the bitter end. I’m glad it’s the last season. I’m always impressed by the writer’s room to stretch and remake this story, which often feels like an overworked piece of clay. Despite that, we’re always finding new aspects of Joe’s personality, which I think takes real skill given that he’s an unrepentant serial killer and big fucking loser. This season he’s lost any patina of goodness, real mask off, which I think is the best way for him to go out.
Your Friends and Neighbors (Apple TV) - I am an Apple TV subscriber first, Black lesbian second, and everything else after that. I watch all the things, including Your Friends and Neighbors, a rich people behaving badly situation with a twist. The premise is fun—a man who loses his job and on the verge of class slippage decides to steal from his friends to avoid the poor house. It’s messy and I’m entertained.
Hollywood Demons (HBO) - This is proof that I will watch anything, including an anthology of Hollywood tragedies. This feels like VH1 programming circa 2007 or Oxygen circa 2010. I’ve learned so much about some of the industry’s biggest stories, like the Power Rangers curse, Justin Bieber’s stalker, and the Von Erich wrestling dynasty. Tragic (but compelling) stuff.
Companion (HBO) - The poor man’s Deus Ex Machina.
On My Wish List
More house pants
A Baggu purse after seeing the Collina Strada collab shoulder bag on Rae (she has the best style). The chocolate color of the popular shoulder bag is also so good. The shape of this sling bag is also something special. So many options!
The Yale Review summer issue
These now sold-out Donni pants
This off-the-shoulder top from Lucinda
Expense Report
Culottes from COS (returned)
A subscription to One Story
Lots of spring-summer appropriate fare from ASOS
A label-printer for easier bag labeling
A pack of Zyrtec-D
Nausea-relieving Dramamine Ginger Chews (these helped!)
Vintage colored Zebra Sarasa Clip pens (TikTok made me do it)
An end-loading baking rack
Until next time.
Your grandmother is so lovely! And what joy in the rest of your post. Hope you feel better soon.
grandma is stunning! also so happy that hacks is back. l think the writing has grown a lot from season one