10 things of interest #16

Skincare obsession, the PR dilemma and a Fall bucket list.

Happy 29th day of September!

I’ve had a productive weekend so far: I walked 12K yesterday from one side of London to another, bought three books, and devoured a ‘New York, New York’ bagel from B Bagels Soho — that basically describes how I want the rest of the year to go.

1. In “their PR is deluding you,”

   Julia Harrison
   breaks down the deceptive nature of fashion marketing, especially surrounding New York Fashion Week (NYFW) and influencer culture.

2. I’m obsessed with this roast pepper pasta recipe from @matts_recipes on Instagram. Perfect for chilly Autumn nights.

3. The funny (and perhaps) odd thing about today’s culture is the amount of weird things that can go viral. You never really know what will spike people’s interests. In “Junk Food, High Art”, Noah Verrier gained popularity by creating oil paintings of junk food including peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and chicken nuggets. His painting of a Smucker’s Uncrustables sandwich recently sold for nearly $5,000 after going viral on social media.

4. eleanor lucie
   navigates adult friendship in “i have friends, i definitely have friends.” She highlights the discomfort of believing in the stability of friendships and the persistent fear that loneliness is the default state, even as connections evolve.

5. Mary Hutto Fruchter
   from Mary’s Pocketful of Prose touches on how returning to work in the Fall, which often feels challenging and disorienting, akin to “seasonal amnesia.” She writes that these changes require a shift in thinking and “transitional armour” to help reset and navigate these periods of change.

6. In “The reason Gen Z is so obsessed with ageing,” Gemma Brown writes about our youngest generations’ need for over-using skincare products like retinol and “baby botox” because of pressure from social media and beauty standards is at an all-time high. It’s insane. I remember overhearing a Dad in Superdrug ask an attendant for information about the Drunk Elephant brand. His daughter (who was turning 12) wanted the retinol moisturiser for her birthday (which retails for £45). The attendant had to so kindly explain that a product like that shouldn’t be used for a child so young. What happened to just aggressively washing our faces with bars of soap and using CeraVe?

7. Abbey Rachel Beth
   from The Good, the Bad & the Beauty wrote about Pockets of Peace — moments that keep your mind clear and cultivate quietness.

8. I save this list every year and tell myself I’ll try at least one recipe on it. I have yet to make that true.

   the smitten kitchen digest
   ’s annual fall bucket list always contains unbelievable recipes, and the new edition is now available to read!

9. Caroline
   in “slow burn” grapples with impatience and the pressure to achieve constantly; trapped in a cycle of chasing validation and success, something that I think most of us deal with. Despite real accomplishments, we all struggle to appreciate victories, realizing that societal expectations fuel a frantic pace that obscures the present moment. My favourite quote: “If you’re not the CEO, a Pulitzer winner, or using an Oscar as a doorstop, you’re invisible. We’re told to aim big and be blaring if we want to be remembered.

   I’ve always known this framing is wrong. But I’m forgetful.”

10. Quinn 92, an indie pop-artist, released his new EP titled “LUNCH” and I’ve had it on replay for the last two weeks. I’m driving up to a cabin for three days and I’ve already got his albums queued for the journey.

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