Incredible prints, distraction from the news, and a very chic color combo

Links we sent our friends #87 feat. Marion Teniade

Hey friends! Is it just our circles, or is the flu going craaaaazy this year?! Somehow we made it to our Galentine’s event on Friday, where more than 70 of you showed up to hear Aja and me talk about some of our favorite romance “gateway” books and how romance has changed our friendship (and sex lives!) It was so much fun.

We officially met

Marion Teniade

in a Substack group chat — but we’d been reading her essays for months before that. Her writing is both funny and incisive, the perfect blend of “I’ve been thinking that!” and “I’ve never thought about it like that…” (See: The reason these boycotts ain’t hittin like they should and Stop it with the “hot rodent boyfriend” talk.) As you’ll see, the woman behind the POV is just as great.

Marion’s Links:

1. Duck is my favorite protein to cook. I don’t know why, but it’s some kind of love thing with me and duck. For the past year or so, I’ve wanted a tattoo of a duck with a leek in its mouth, which is a variation on a Japanese idiom about wildly good fortune. So imagine my absolute delight at finding this adorable mascot!

2. FrequencyOfLove is an independent store that makes incredible photo recreations using West African patterns. So far I’ve gifted the Sade and Grace Jones ones.

3. I get at least 27% of my wardrobe from Dressed in Joy. A perfect brand name, because it is absolutely how I feel when I wear it. And j’obsessed with how founder/designer Mikaela Pabon uses colour and patterns.

   

   We’re obsessed with these colors and prints too!! (Source: Dressed in Joy.)

4. Too Scary; Didn’t Watch is a podcast starring two women who don’t watch scary movies listening to their horror fiend friend recap the scary movies she watches. They’re hilarious and have accompanied me on many a road trip. (Aja: Sometimes I read Wikipedia recaps of scary movies I didn’t watch, so this sounds right up my alley.)

5. This episode of Code Switch, a conversation between two Black parents about how they talk to their kids about the police, was an utter gut-punch. What is the podcast version of Must-See TV? This is that.

Aliza’s Links:

1. I need to talk to someone about this stunning memoir. (It came in a curated book package my mom got me from Rebooked Boston. Reach out to Elizabeth to order one for yourself or someone else!)

2. Katherine Goldstein
   is launching a How to Find Your People Club focused on building IRL connections and community.

3. These are the best photo albums. I give them as gifts and use them to organize special memories and trips, like our wedding, honeymoon, etc.

4. If you’re looking for a romantic comedy to distract yourself from the news this week…

rebookedboston

A post shared by @rebookedboston

Aja’s Links:

1. What do you take to ward off sickness? These Vitamin C pouches were in the welcome bag for my work offsite, and they were unexpectedly yummy.

2. Not a link, but a rec: switching errands with your partner. What’s overwhelming to you can be super easy for them, just because it’s not their task — and vice versa. Last week, Sam dropped off a package I’d been procrastinating returning for ages; in exchange, I made his dentist appointment.

3. One of my coworkers paired a red cardigan and burgundy turtleneck with black accessories, and I thought it looked so chic (and very appropriate for G/Valentine’s Day, no?) I recreated the look for our Lovestruck event and might do it again with this pretty cardigan, flirty sweater, belt, and boots (on sale!) (Aliza: I love those boots!!)

4. Speaking of V-Day, Sam and I are staying in this year with the Big Night x 831 Stories pasta date night box. It has everything we need for a delicious (and romantic) dinner: pasta, olive oil, saffron, and a recipe from our favorite,

   Caroline Chambers
   .

My grandfather’s a huge Eagles fan… so I (Aliza) felt particularly invested in the game last night. But we know what Super Bowl Sunday is really about: What were your favorite commercials??

I loved this one (which happens to be extremely relevant to the interview we’re sharing on Thursday!)

Gabbing about romance at Lovestruck Books in Cambridge. We laughed until our cheeks hurt!

• How to host a great dinner party

• I still wouldn’t say I’ve bounced back — and that’s okay.

• Does Substack have a jealousy problem?

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