Although I aspire to that meditation habit that so many “balanced people” swear by, a few hours alone in the car achieves a perfect wellness score for me every time. I binge a few podcasts and catch up with Terry Gross, Alec Baldwin, and Mo Rocca (who is back with a new season of “Mobituaries”). On a recent Atlanta road trip, I tried to learn about better eating with the Goop team, but had to turn it off when I realized I was listening while emptying a bag of peanut M&M’s and slurping a Coke Zero from the QT — definitely not a Gwyneth-approved moment. But instead of feeling guilty, I embraced what made me happy at that time and refused to feel bad about it. I hope this will carry me through this holiday season which seems to come earlier every year. My daughter goes insane (not too hard for a tween) when she sees decorations before Thanksgiving, proclaiming the turkey bill of rights to whomever will listen. Either way, I hope you will take some time for yourself before December hits with a vengeance, as I’m so very thankful for you, dear reader, and wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings.
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Even before I worked at
Vanity Fair, I used to call it the perfect companion on an airplane. No matter your preference, you could always find something that appealed to you. Former boss Tina Brown used to say that you put what you had to on the cover to attract the reader to the important stories you wanted to share inside. After Graydon Carter left the editor’s chair,
I mourned the loss of this genius celebrity/fashion/scandal/literary/business combination of great reads. Good news is that he’s back with Air Mail, a weekly newsletter with headlines like “Sir Spankalot” and the new home of the International Best Dressed List delivered in your inbox every Saturday.
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While I wasn’t the first person to jump on the anti-skinny jeans movement, I am making up for time by wearing my new favorite pair of Japanese denim found at Asheville’s
blu29 boutique
. I’m obsessed with everything about these jeans as well as boutique owner Heather Stefani’s taste in clothes. So much so, that we’re hosting a
Roberto Coin
event together on
Tuesday, November 19th from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
. Check out the latest jewelry collections — some at 50% off — and share some bubbly with us to kick off the holiday shopping season. (Just don’t tell my daughter, she’ll accuse me of jumping the gun on the gift-giving calendar.)
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I told a friend who was driving to Knoxville to try this podcast, and she texted me a few hours later that she “LOVED it” and had goosebumps by the end of the second episode. Hosted by NPR favorite Jad Abumrad (Radiolab), it’s a fascinating deep dive into the world of this brilliant blonde icon.
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Because I have weird ears, I am forever searching for the perfect wireless accessories that will fit and won’t fall out. I also believe in signs, so when I saw my friend Lynn jogging by with these and then
Bradley Whitford tells the Wall Street Journal these are the best
, I grabbed a pair for myself. Perfect for everything including talking on the phone while walking the dog, which is probably why Oprah just put them on her favorite things list, too.
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If you are ever looking for my parents on a Friday night, they are most likely at the movie theater checking out the latest release. After my dad saw this movie, he called with two emphatic thumbs up for this story about Harriet Tubman. Expect to see Cynthia Erivo glamming up the red carpet this awards season as well as her co-stars Janelle Monaé, Leslie Odom, Jr., Sugarland’s (and former
Atlanta Peach
cover girl) Jennifer Nettles and Taylor Swift’s British beau Joe Alwyn.
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I can’t gush enough about this book written by my old
Details
colleague Gavin Edwards. A beautiful tribute to a childhood icon that not only shares the history but offers real-life examples of how we can emulate his decency playbook. Gavin will be in Asheville on
Wednesday, November 20th,
so let me know if you’d like to join us for a special event at 6 pm.
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We're All in This Together
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It’s always a struggle to find something to watch for the whole family, especially the middle schooler who can change her mind as quickly as she shifts her mood. While my husband and I settle in for
Schitt’s Creek
and the return of
The Man in the High Castle
, she and I are eagerly waiting the second episode of
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
. The Disney Plus subscription is worth it just for that mother/daughter bonding as well as the family viewing of The Mandalorian. She gave the Star Wars series an enthusiastic first watch, but refuses to try the channel’s
Lady and The Tramp, calling the live action reboot “just too creepy”.
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A visit with my friend Flavia always yields great takeaways including this new favorite color which has replaced my summer Bubblebath habit and seamlessly ushered my nails into fall. Its creamy white/grey tone doesn’t turn after a few days and is the perfect neutral until Big Apple Red makes its return for the holidays.
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Many of you know of my
Joyryder
addiction,
and in the search for its perfect workout companion, I have found
Scorch
. Based on The Lagree Method, it’s low and slow and might make you twitch on the way home. I love the Megaformer (not to be confused with a pilates reformer) and the amazing teachers who help me tame it. Check out the
website
to find a studio near you, but if you're local to Asheville, tell 'em I sent you as first timers get a sweet deal at this River Arts District fitness find.
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Time
Magazine said, “It’s as if (author Robin) Rowell turned the Harry Potter books inside out, and is showing us the marvelous, subversive stuffing inside.” So it’s no wonder my daughter flew into the bookstore to grab the just released second book in the series “Wayward Son”. When asked why, she replied, “Because it’s really funny and well written.” In other words, a tween rave review.
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