stop pushing butter yellow
ENOUGH! and other thoughts on money and trends
Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
Hi team! Please excuse my little spring hiatus—I’ve been battling allergies for the first time (and now know I’m not the only one). They’ve put me in a pollen-induced fugue state for the past month, hence why you haven’t heard from me.
Since we last chatted, I:
Attended the “Pride & Prejudice” 20th anniversary screening.
Finally got my ass to “Oh, Mary!” I have never seen Andrew laugh harder at a show.
Went to Boston. It’s always worth it for the pit stop at Treehouse, but aside from that, I’m sorry, Boston is just… fine.
Visited the new Frick museum. One of the GOATs.
Got my signed Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook at the NYC book launch event. Have since made two recipes and plan to do at least two more this MDW.
Finally saw FLO, Djo, and Japanese Breakfast in concert (on different nights). They all gave magical performances. It’s always so awesome to see that your favorite artists are even better live.
Spent time in Palm Springs for my best friend Eli’s bachelor party! (During which, by the way, my allergies dissipated. CA, I❤️U 5eva).
Saw “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.” One of the most insane stage productions I’ve ever seen, and it was so scary!?
Celebrated Andrew’s birthday! Yay.
As we head into summer1, the desire for a refresh is palpable. I cleared out my closet, finally letting go of shirts from college. I forced myself to part with books I’ve read and had just been keeping for the shelf aesthetic (I have also run out of shelf space, so I can’t get new books until I clear stuff out). The urge to feel new and stock my closet with summer dresses and comfy sandals pulls at me. And yet I can’t help but try to be an adult and ask, What do I actually need to spend money on, if anything?
Last month, The Cut and The New York Times released articles about money dysmorphia and debt. I would recommend reading their eloquent and well-researched pieces first, then coming back for the yap.
The yap:
I’m not immune to the convincing TikTok influencer or occasional Instagram ad. I have impulse bought with the best of them, and have probably paid way too much for things made cheaply. But I grew up understanding my means (middle class peeps can I get a what what!!) and where my family fit in relation to my friends’. I fully grasped the fact of life that there are people (mainly this girl) who have a lot of money, and others who don’t. And that’s just how the world works. But with time, and as social media has allowed us all to witness all kinds of opulence, I have fallen victim to money dysmorphia more than I once did.
And while we’re on the topic, I really like this person’s take:
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It’s not a secret that so much information all of the time can be damaging to our brains on both a sociological and psychological level. I have been financially independent for over a decade, I pay rent in New York City, and I have disposable income to travel—all things that should be impressive and lauded, right? And yet this brain rot has me wondering, Why am I not able to afford multiple luxury bags like my trust-fund friend? I work just as hard! or, Why am I not making enough to buy multiple $500 cotton sweaters, when Meredith Hayden (aka Wishbone Kitchen) only has items in that price range on her shopmy? I’m not saying it’s financially smart, but when I think these thoughts, I can understand why Gen Z and millennials (per the aforementioned articles) would drive themselves into debt. The messaging is rampant and pervasive. But if you’re a reasonable person, I hope you’re feeling a bit sickened by how these ideas are pushed our way. I know I do.
I want to be trendy, but I don’t want to be part of the latest trend. I don’t think any of us should anymore, and I think all this blabbering is just my long-winded way of saying that. It used to be: Let’s keep up with the Joneses. But the Joneses were people you could afford to live in the same neighborhood as. Presumably, you were keeping up just by being their neighbor, right?
So no, you didn’t explicitly ask, and this doesn’t have much to do with anything, but I WON’T be buying butter yellow. That shade was never meant to be worn by someone with my complexion and yet they keep telling me I need butter yellow during AAPI month!? That’s rude af. In a few months, butter yellow will be a thing of the past anyway, and the $1,100 Miu Miu flats I keep getting ads for will no doubt find themselves getting fished out of some clearance bin at Casual Corner.
Something I Thought of in the Shower
Will it rain on my night at Cowboy Carter?
Something for Clarice
Hey! This newsletter is free and I intend to keep it that way. That said, if you love it and want to show your appreciation, buy me a coffee :)
Something Pretty
Klaus is Cowboy Carter ready. Are you?
Something Cool
I’ve been the chalkboard artist for both of the 1 Hotel New York locations since last October. They very kindly featured me as part of AAPI month. Hopefully I said something interesting, but you can read it here!
By the way…I’m reading this.
Finally was able to get Big Fan on Libby. Been hearing such great things about this book, and it feels like the perfect easy read for a long weekend at home.
And I’m watching this.
I started “Sirens.” I am so glad Meghann Fahy is finally getting her flowers—only real ones have been there from the beginning.
“The Studio” only got better, by the way. All of season one is now streaming, and the “Pediatric Oncologist” episode will be one I think about for many years to come.
Have a great MDW! And happy Cowboy Carter weekend to all my fellow tri-state area peeps.
‘Til next time, butter yellows. Your friend,
Clarice
I’m ignoring that it is 50 degrees in NYC because how dare they do this on Cowboy Carter’s weekend ugh.