Listen, I don’t think anyone wants to know this, but it’s really top of mind because I went to the derm yesterday… I’m getting a cyst removed and it’ll be the first time I’m being sliced open and stitched back up (gasp). I’m rather skeeved, but I’m also sooooo brave, and I want it gone out of my life before I’m in a bathing suit and a wedding dress. Luckily, the doctor’s office is right near a Bloomingdale’s, and I’m making Jeffery come with me, so we can go for a little treat afterwards.

Sunday is the Superb Owl party, except it’s not a party because Jeffery has requested we watch it alone, lol. The last time the Eagles were in the Super Bowl we had a bunch of people over, so he was overstimulated and couldn’t properly root for the Birds. This year, I will oblige and not use it as an excuse to host. I do not much care about football but I love to throw out a “go Birds!” in my best Philly accent, and I do like to look at Jalen Hurts. Anyway, get your poles greased and make some cheesesteak, girls.

On My Brain

Nuuly vs. Rent the Runway

I’ve been a Nuuly customer for years now, and I’m constantly telling everyone that I love it. (See above: Three of many “foster fails” as my friend Kaila says, or: Things I’ve rented that I ended up buying.) Save for some issues like dingy or worn clothes, sizing discrepancies, and stuff being in stock, I am happy to fork over the $98 a month to rent clothes I otherwise wouldn’t want to keep, or to try stuff on I might actually buy. It’s also clutch if your weight fluctuates, you need dresses for formal events, or you’re like, reinventing yourself.

Several years ago, I was a Rent the Runway girlie, and could frequently be found at their IRL store in Union Sq. dropping my returns off so I could immediately unlock new spots, then creating new Gmail accounts each month to get the new customer discount...those were the days. I stopped RTR, though, because it got both more pricey and less flexible, and haven’t really looked back.

But guess what? My extremely stylish coworker, Hannah, just published an exhaustive breakdown of the pros and cons of Nuuly vs. Rent the Runway. She spent weeks (months, even), along with other testers, laying out every single detail: clothing variety, quality, price, size inclusivity, etc., so if you’re on the fence about switching (or want to start a clothing rental subscription) I highly recommend a read.

Oscar Best Picture Noms

The best picture nominations came out on Jan 23rd, and I really thought I was farther ahead on the list than I am. In the last few years, I’ve made an effort to see most of the best picture noms before the Academy Awards, but so far this year I’ve only seen Anora and Dune: Part 2 (both of which I loved). I keep meaning to watch The Substance but it’s on some random weird streaming service, and I will eventually get around to watching Wicked in the same fashion I did with Barbie—months after the hype I’ll watch it and go, “um, this was really good, did you guys know??” Right now I’m still too fatigued with the press cycle, but I’ll come around.

I don’t really want to sit through Emilia Perez or A Complete Unknown (even though it was filmed in Jersey City and that was fun!), and I’ve never heard of I’m Still Here and Nickel Boys, but that seems like a me being out of the loop problem. The Conclave interests me, and so does The Brutalist, but I’m not sure we really need to be doing four hour movies?? Like? Our brains are rotten, we can’t handle it as a society. Anyway, I’ll surely check back in as I knock these out, and maybe I’ll get to at least 8/10.

In My Cart

Bridal Shower Dresses!

My bridal shower is in March, so it’s officially time to start looking for a dress to wear. Some I’m considering below:

I’m fixated on the idea of black accents/a little black bow on my dress, so fingies crossed this one from Reformation fits. I also love the little puff sleeves and Peter Pan collar, and I’m very into a polka dot moment!

I ordered this one from an Australian brand I’ve never heard of, and I’m hoping that my top choice (above) works and that this one can be a reception dress for the wedding, because I know I won’t wanna be in a ball gown all night.

I’ve had this dress open in tabs for months, but of course, when it’s time to order something, it’s out of stock :). I put my email in for an alert, though, so if all else fails and this comes back in stock… I shall order it.

I’ve also had Maison Armory dresses saved forever, and this one is a really simple silhouette with textured jacquard fabric. If I end up going with this one, I might pin or sew a little black bow to the front, because as I said, I’m fixated.

In My Belly

Super Bowl Chili

My chili recipe gets better literally every time I make it, but for now, I’ll present you with the current iteration, which I think might be my perfect chili. It’s spicy, the ground beef is broken into tiny little pieces, and it’s deeply flavorful. The things that make it, imo, are the bacon and fire roasted tomatoes, so don’t skip these. This last batch, I minced the vegetables up really tiny, and I think that went a long way towards a homogeneously rich chili. Make it!! You’ll luv it!

• 6–8 strips of bacon, chopped into ¼ in pieces

• 1 large yellow onion, minced

• 1 jalapeño, minced with seeds (or more if you like it spicier)

• 2 carrots, minced

• 1 red, yellow, or orange bell pepper, minced

• 4–5 cloves garlic, minced

• 1lb ground beef

• 2 ½ tbsp chili powder

• 1 tbsp cumin

• 1 tsp cayenne

• 1 tbsp garlic powder

• 1 tbsp onion powder

• 1 tbsp granulated sugar

• 6oz can tomato paste

• 12oz can of fire roasted tomatoes

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 can pinto beans, rinsed

• 1 can kidney beans, rinsed (I skip these, but I’m not really a bean girl… so go for it if you are)

• Sour cream

• Sharp cheddar, shredded

• Tortilla chips or Fritos

1. Start with a cold pot and add bacon, turn to medium high and let bacon crisp, stirring frequently.

2. Remove the bacon and leave 1–2 tbsp fat behind for browning the vegetables.

3. Add onion, jalapeño, carrots, bell pepper, and garlic, cook for about 5 minutes until they start to brown, season with salt and pepper.

4. Add beef and spices, breaking it into very small pieces as it browns. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Add tomato paste and fry for about 2 minutes.

6. Deglaze pot with the beef broth, add tomatoes, beans, sugar, and bacon. Turn heat down to low and simmer for up to 2 hours, but at least 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

7. Top with sour cream and cheddar, serve with tortilla chips or Fritos.

You Ask, I Answer

Q: “On the topic of wall art - is there a a tasteful way to frame or display sports jerseys?”

A: I felt this question was topical, considering it’s Super Bowl week and the Birds are playing.

My first question would be, is there a compromise to be made here? If so, I think framing a vintage jersey, putting together a gallery wall of some sports memorabilia, or getting some Oxford pennants are all more aesthetically pleasing ways to scratch the sports-on-the-walls itch. See below:

Okay, see how much more palatable a framed jersey is when it’s vintage? If you do some searching, I’m sure you can find a really cool one.

A gallery wall never hurt anyone, especially if it splits the difference between modern sports iconography and more vintage pieces that nod to it.

I looooove pennants—they’re a really cool way to channel an Americana vibe without getting too patriotic about it. See if you can get a vintage (or vintage-inspired) pennant for the team of your choice, and either pop it directly on the wall or get it framed.

Speaking of pennants, look how cute these pillows are? I might even get one I’m so charmed.

If all else fails, and you must frame a modern jersey, I’d suggest going with a very simple wood frame, tucking the sleeves behind the torso, and not matting it any bigger than it already is. You can always tuck it into a larger gallery wall or put it in the bathroom—that’s what I would do.

Need a gift suggestion for your mother-in-law’s birthday? Stuck on how to rearrange the furniture in your living room? Want to know what to do with a jar of marinated artichokes? Come to mama. Hit me up with your questions, and I'll answer them in an upcoming letter.