Wendy’s Weekly Picks

I’m starting a new feature called, as you can see in the title, “Wendy’s Weekly Picks,” in which I’ll highlight stuff I like or recommend (disclaimer: it probably won’t actually be every week). My picks will include fashion, gift ideas, home decor, makeup, websites, entertainment, and recipes. Of course, some of the stuff I link to will be affiliate products, which means I’ll receive a commission on any purchases you make through the affiliate links. As always, I appreciate your support! Here are my favorite finds this week:

1. I purchased this black and white striped pencil skirt from Old Navy during their big Mother’s Day sale a couple weekends ago and I LOVE it. It’s super comfy, flattering (I had my doubts it would be; it’s a tight pencil skirt and I’ve got some hips on me, but it looks good!), goes with a lot, AND it was a steal (with the promo, I paid 13 bucks for it and I know I’mma wear it like three times a week all summer). There are a variety of colors, but I’m always partial to the black and white stripes, myself.

 

 

2. I bought these Eric Michael Petula Espadrilles two years ago to wear on the Today Show (I was five months pregnant and feeling sorta unattractive, and these definitely boosted my confidence; funny how shoes can do that). They’re super cute and comfy, and the leather is nice and soft. I like them so well that I just bought a similar style (same brand) in black. (I found a great deal on 6pm.com, but colors and sizes are limited).

 

3. This shrimp fried rice recipe from Bon Appetit is currently my favorite thing to make. It’s easy, it’s delicious, you can adapt it to use whatever you’ve got in your fridge — broccoli, carrots, some fresh greens, chicken, pork or tofu instead of shrimp — and it’s pretty good for you, to boot. And it photographs well. Did I mention how easy it is? Also, it tastes great left over, cold or hot.

 

4. Who knew Alyssa Milano made such awesome t-shirts? I had no idea until I stumbled upon this one in Marshalls last week (another great find for 13 bucks!). Originally purchased to wear to work out in, the shirt is so flattering and comfy — it’s seriously the softest item of clothing I think I’ve ever owned — I immediately upgraded it to regular-wear attire. I’m gonna head back to Marshalls in the next few days and see if I can score another. If not, I may just pay full-price on Amazon.

 

 

 

5. “Before Midnight” was released in limited theaters this week and Drew and I actually, for the first time since Jackson was born, went to a movie theater together to watch it, and we loved it. I’m a huge fan of the first two movies in the trilogy, too — “Before Sunrise,” and “Before Sunset.” If you’re unfamiliar, “Before Sunrise,” made in 1995 is the first film in the series and follows two 20-somethings — Celine, from France, and Jesse, from America — who meet on a train in Europe. They have only one night together before they each have to travel home, and by morning they each are smitten and promise to meet again in six months’ time. Viewers have to wait nine years, until the release of “Before Sunset,” to find out whether Celine and Jesse keep their promise. And now, in “Before Midnight,” which The Week calls the most important cinematic love story of all time, we see what their relationship is like 18 years after they first met.

What I especially love about this series is that the films are actually made over the span of 18 years so we see the actors and characters age, just as we have all aged since 1995. I was 18 when the first film came out, and watching how Celine and Jesse have evolved reminds me of my own trajectory and that life is short. That’s not the most pleasant thing to think about, just as it’s not pleasant to think about how the day-to-day challenges of real life can take a toll on even the sweetest relationships. But, it is nice to be reminded that love can endure — that it can survive life’s ups and downs, and even as our bodies and minds begin to deteriorate — perhaps something we’ll see more of if there’s another film in the series nine years from now — the love and connection that holds two people together can grow stronger (although it, too, looks different in older age). Everyone should see this movie, seriously.