Weekend reading list: 1.24.25

Plus a roundup of black tie wedding guest dresses for spring!

Jan 24, 2025

FRIENDSHIP

It's no secret that keeping and maintaining friendships is difficult in adulthood — between work, life, family obligations, and travel — so the title of this article immediately caught my eye, "The Easiest Way to Keep Your Friends." The author makes a case for setting recurring friend dates on your calendar in order to eliminate the back and forth of "so when are you free?" Relationships need repetition, structure, and rituals to grow (that's why it was so easy to make friends in school because you saw the same people every day)! With splitting my time between Texas and NYC it might be a bit hard to do, but I'm already looking forward to my regularly scheduled mahjong nights with girlfriends when I'm back in New York!

TRAVEL

I have been pouring over this list of the most exciting hotel openings of 2025! Some spots on my short list? The historic Waldorf Astoria in NYC has just undergone a multiyear renovation, wellness brand Six Senses is opening a hotel in London, The Cooper is poised to be the new hot spot in Charleston, and I'm dreaming of a French countryside getaway at the gorgeous Château de la Commaraine. If you're planning a special milestone trip this year be sure to reference this extensive list!

ENTERTAINMENT

Okay who else got totally sucked into Fourth Wing? The third book in the series, Onyx Storm, dropped this week and I started it as soon as it arrived in the mail! I'm a bit obsessed with the series so I loved this profile on the author Rebecca Yarros! She really has revolutionized the adult fantasy-romance genre (Fourth Wing sold more than 2 million copies in its first six months) and not to mention she's written some particularly steamy scenes! Even more exciting is that the series has been acquired for TV adaptation by Amazon, I just hope they do it justice!

TECH

There was (understandably) a lot of chatter last week around TikTok and the future of the platform, but I really enjoyed this perspective on the impact of TikTok on the fashion world! On one hand it gave us viral moments (like Bella Hadid being spray painted into a dress at Coperni) and gave designers (like Joseph Altuzarra) the platform to become influencers in their own right. On the other hand is was the epicenter of never-ending "microtrends," shopping hauls, and general overconsumption. Whatever the longterm future of the platform, it will be interesting to see how the intersection of fashion and social media continues to evolve! Perhaps we're poised to see a resurgence of long-form content?

SHOPPING: SNEAKER STYLE

A touch of leopard kicks these up a notch!
These are a nice transitional sneaker for winter into spring.
This color is making me ready for warmer weather!
If you're looking for a neutral winter sneaker, these are my pick!
Cute white and silver Sambas (again, I don't need another pair of Sambas...right?)
Another chic neutral option under $75.
Light blue sneakers that almost feel like a neutral.
These are very cool!
A fun colorway for spring!
I'm still crushing on chocolate brown.
Love the retro vibes of these!
I'm intrigued by these leather and mesh sneakers!

DESIGN

How fun is this peek into the Vice President's residence? Before Vice President Harris moved out, the public finally got a look at the stunning work of interior designer Sheila Bridges! She set out to decorate the first floor public spaces with an eye towards American craftsmanship — and keep in mind much of this occurred in 2021 when supply chains were still a mess! I thought the entire space was really beautifully done; I love the subtle color palette and the mix of modern with classic pieces. I'd move right in!

THE BEST BLACK TIE GOWNS FOR SPRINGTIME WEDDINGS

Wedding season is just around the corner, so naturally I've been fielding all kinds of requests for sharing wedding guest dresses! Whether you're a big spender or looking to save this season, below is a roundup of occasion dresses perfect for a formal affair this spring. Think a lot of soft colors (loving banana-yellow right now), fashion forward silhouettes and some serious sparkle!