French photography, queer country karaoke, and your next weeknight meals

Links we sent our friends #85 feat. Kelsey Rose

Hello from Puerto Rico! We escaped 17 degrees and dirty slush in Boston to talk strategy by the pool for 48 hours — among one of the best business decisions we’ve ever made. (Are you interested in hearing more about our annual retreats?)

This week’s guest is someone we’d love to sit next to at a dinner party…

Photo: Kelsey Rose.

Kelsey Rose

is an incredibly interesting and interested person. Case in point: Along with being an archivist for the legendary Eames Office for the last ten years, she’s also a historian, writer, photographer, and advocate for the preservation of modern architecture.

Originally from the West Coast, Kelsey has settled along the sea in the French Basque Country. We love reading about her adventures in France and thoughts on art, life, and culture in her newsletter

Absolument !

and think you will, too.

Kelsey’s Links:

1. From 1949 to 1954, Parisian Agnès Varda captured life in Sète, France through her camera lens. These photographs became the blueprint for her first feature film, La Pointe Courte — a story about a couple seeking to save their marriage in the same town. Every detail, from the settings to the wardrobe, came directly from her photographs.

2. When I discovered The New Yorker’s fiction podcast featured Salman Rushdie reading Italo Calvino, I just about went to heaven. Two of my favorite stories are Calvino’s If on a winter’s night a traveler and Rushdie’s The Old Man in the Piazza. And Rushdie’s narrative voice is delightful!

3. In my early twenties, for very little money, I managed an upscale women’s clothing shop in San Francisco. The shop sold the brand Il Bisonte, and I promised myself that one day I’d be well-traveled and could treat myself to their leather passport holder. Now that I have a passport and life abroad, it’s finally time…

   

   Marta Pan in one of her floating sculptures. (Photo: Marcel Ismand.)

4. I’m entranced by Marta Pan’s abstracted sculptures, particularly how they were incorporated into modernist dance performances. (Aja: Wow, this picture is incredible.)

5. For a dose of contemporary creativity, I like to peek at designer Maria Stanley's photo series. It’s a secret stash of “it” girls, featuring vibrant creators like artist Zella Day, model and magazine editor Louise Follain, and chef Loria Stern, all wearing Maria’s beautiful clothing.

Aliza’s Links:

1. An opportunity to support World Central Kitchen in Los Angeles… and get a sweet t-shirt (h/t

   Emma Straub
   ).

2. LA Times’s Maxwell Williams profiles a queer country karaoke revue: “a place where country music, with all its contradictions and complexities, embraces its messiest, queerest, most joyful self.” Sign me up.

   

   Photos: Michael Owen Baker.

3. I’ve been getting lots of compliments on this Jenni-Kayne-esque cardigan (the original, for reference) — it’s a great “dress up” or “dress down” sweater option.

4. The cauliflower and cheese ravioli is my favorite weeknight Trader Joe’s meal right now. I always have at least two in my fridge for the “What are we doing for dinner tonight?” days.

5. Anyone else excited about this reunion?

Aja’s Links:

1. These earrings are stunning. (Aliza: I’ve been looking for a new pair of earrings for weeks — these are a strong contender!)

2. I ended up setting a second New Year’s resolution — cook one new recipe a week — and this spicy carrot soup is one of my favorites so far. You’d never guess from the rich, complex flavors how easy it was to make (and how healthy it is). Note: If you’re serving it as a main, I’d double the recipe. We had four people, and I suspect everyone could’ve eaten more.

3. I just got a pair of Warby Parker glasses that I fully intended to be my back-up pair… but they’ve quickly become my default. They’re stylish and super light, and I can’t get over the way they magically transition to sunglasses every time I walk outside. These were gifted, but if I lost them I’d buy another pair in a heartbeat.

4. It feels weird to be okay (a highly relatable essay from

   Ijeoma Oluo
   ).

5. Wow, check out this Lego recreation of Iris’s iconic cottage from The Holiday.

Image: Brand Report.

I (Aliza) went to re-up on my favorite natural deodorant last week (I’ve recommended this one several times in the past!), and now I’m in crisis. I reached out to Hatch customer service when I saw they were out-of-stock … and I learned it may be gone for good 😭.

Does anyone have a natural option that you love? I’ve already tried Native and Ursa Major. My criteria: smells good, isn’t sticky, and actually prevents sweat. Thank you in advance!!

We’ll be here. Photo: Aja Frost.

• How to start a great conversation no matter whom you’re with

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• How to be happy when you’re grieving

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