Wendy’s Weekly Picks

“Wendy’s Weekly Picks,” is a feature in which I’ll highlight stuff I like or recommend in the worlds of fashion, gift ideas, home decor, makeup, websites, entertainment, and recipes. Of course, many of the stuff I link to will be affiliate products, which means I’ll receive a commission on any click-throughs or purchases you make through the affiliate links. As always, I appreciate your support! Here are my favorite finds this week:

The forecast here in NYC is finally above freezing for at least the next 10 days, which means that, instead of snow, endless snow, we’ll be getting plenty of rain. While I would prefer more sunshine, at least I’ll have an excuse to break out these, which are super comfy and practical and pretty cute, too.

I got three new items of clothing last week that I’m really excited about. Finally, after being uncomfortable for two months straight in either non-maternity pants that were too tight or maternity pants that were too loose still in the waist and baggy in the butt (ugh, is this anything worse than baggy butt? There is not), I got these, which made me immediately regretful I suffered for so long in discomfort and which I will never take off again except maybe when I swap them for these skinny jeans which don’t even look like maternity jeans (on account of the awesome insert paneling, which is my new favorite thing and is great even if you’re just sporting a burrito baby) and I will totally wear even when I’m not pregnant (use code DAYBREAK for 35% off your purchase at Gap!). My third new item that I’m excited about is this 5-star reviewed adorable and comfy t-shirt which is just loose enough on me now that I think I’ll be able to wear it for the next couple of months (under a cardigan until it’s warmer) and then after the baby is born as my postpartum body finds it shape again (whatever that post-2 kids, almost 40-year-old shape shall be . . . ).

I mentioned this book in a recent open thread, but it deserves another note here. I read The Distance Between Us in the course of 2 1/2 days last weekend, which is kind of an amazing feat considering it usually takes me 4-6 weeks to actually complete a book, but the credit is due entirely to the author and her riveting story (and story-telling) — well, also credit is due to Drew who didn’t side-eye me too much when I ignored him and Jackson for a big chunk of the weekend as I lost myself in this book (oops, sorry about that). A memoir written by a woman born in an impoverished town in Mexico in the mid-70s, the book tells the story of her turbulent childhood as her parents abandoned her and her siblings for eight years as they sneaked across the border into America, and then about her equally turbulent adolescence after her father came back for them and they lived as undocumented immigrants in a poor neighborhood of LA. It’s a story of adversity, triumph, and, ultimately forgiveness and compassion. Next up is another memoir, North of Normal, which I started over the weekend and am enjoying so far.

Changing the topic entirely, today’s the last day to enjoy the 20% off sale on dresses at Anthropologie. This one is hands-down my favorite. And looking at the reviews, I don’t think I’m alone in that opinion. There’s no way it would fit me now, but I’m so tempted to buy it anyway to have for next year. (I won’t, because that’s impractical, but, oh, how I want to). I also adore this one which is more than half off the original price and is versatile enough to wear to work, on a date, and maybe even for a walk along the boardwalk at the beach. (The beach! I have this sort of lofty goal to make it to the beach at least once this year. It will be tricky because we’re not planning a beach vacation and, by the time it’s actually beach weather here, I’ll be pregnant enough that commuting over an hour to the nearest beach worth going to might be a little risky . . . but, fuck, I might do it anyway. I was born on a beach and I turned out fine. I mean, it was in a hospital on the beach, but, still, beach babies are awesome).

I made this chicken satay with homemade peanut sauce a couple weeks ago for a small Oscar party we hosted and the recipe was a hit. It was a little labor and time-intensive, but well worth it, and the homemade peanut sauce, which was the real star of the show, yielded so much that there was enough left over to mix with noodles (and more chicken and vegetables) for our dinner the next night. Bonus: If you have picky eater kids at home, the peanut butter part of this recipe is usually enough to entice them to eat it (um, if they don’t have a peanut allergy, that is); I can’t promise they’ll eat the veggies though — I’m still looking for whatever magic trick it takes to make that happen (if you know one, please share).