This is a parent thing, also a woman thing, but I’m continually struck by how thoroughly having (a) kid(s) changes the way you look at everything. Like, every! Single! Thing! is now filtered through the lens of what does this mean for the next generation. And this week, my what does it mean is rotating like a tetherball around Simone Biles - nobody needs me to echo this sentiment, but jesus christ, how in awe I am that she prioritized herself so publicly. Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles - heroes. What bliss to let our little girls grow up knowing you do not owe anyone anything. You are free to do what you like with your body! You are your own!
What beauty there is in refusing to go beyond your limits for someone else’s sake. The path to that decision must be (because I could never know what it’s like to be Simone or Naomi) excruciating. Multiply however hard I imagine a decision like that would be times a billion for Black women. But what a revolution to see someone so powerful say no so loudly.
When Tr**p was elected, the morning after waking up to the news I spent the whole day thinking on a loop, what does this teach our girls. I felt obsessed with this idea of being 9 years old, seeing someone like him getting voted into office. I didn’t have kids yet, but I imagined the horror parents all over the country felt for their kids. How do you protect them from that? It’s like a poison gas, there’s nowhere to go.
And then this! Not that either Naomi or Simone should think about this, or be responsible for this, but their choice taught so many of our girls that they have a choice. And THEN Simone! Winning the Bronze! “I wasn’t expecting to walk away with the medal, I was just doing this for me.” Tears, man. We’re not worthy.
To the extent that I can compare myself with them (I can’t) I think about all the times I said yes when at best I meant maybe, and at worst I meant no fucking way. I think about my daughter, and the thought of her just ~going with the flow~ for the sake of not pissing anyone off makes me feel wild with rage. I want her to have the escape hatch of no. I want her to know how to pull the plug! My son too, obviously, but it’s not the same. I think of the feeling of doing what you really want like sinking into a giant bowl of whipped cream. I want them to have whipped cream!
So anyway, hope! And joy, and awe and gratitude.
And then some things I love this week.
I know I’ve been hit or missing with these, taking week on week off, but I want to do them, and I’m making space in my zone for them, and for the *special* subscription one that’s all outfit ideas and 4 little shopping roundups in each one, which you can subscribe to here if you want. If you want!
1. Beni Rugs rug, $2205; 2. Raini Home chair, $345; 3. Dinosaur Designs necklace, $180; 4. Cuyana hat, $95; 5. Dries van Noten swimsuit, $325; 6. Molly Goddard creepers, $222; 7. Neous bag, $438; 8. Ikea cabinet, $160; 9. Blob ring, $50; 10. Tory Burch jacket, $539; 11. Dickies pants, $59; 12. Wales Bonner shirt, $246.
I want to live in this world! These creepers! There’s only one pair left and they’re tiny, so if you have little feet PLEASE get them and think of. me!
And this Tory Burch coat! It’s embellished and embroidered and on sale, I love it.
And then Beni Rugs + Raini Home chair + Ikea! This is my house!
And a Blob ring, they’re currently all sold out, but I’m dying for one.
Last year I spend the entire summer wearing men’s swim shorts - I love the sportyness of them. I keep seeing this Dries pair on IG and I’m thisclose to getting them for myself. How nice would they be with a big perfect white button down?
Lastly, these Dickies pants. They remind me of Delia*s, and I just ordered a pair.
That’s all!
Love, your friend,
Laurel
* Some of these are affiliate links, and if you make a purchase I might earn a small commission.
Wow i love this. Also have a daughter and also feel wild rage at the idea that she'd feel she has to say yes to something when she wants to say no.