1. Have any of you bought from Sezane? I recently delved into the site and have a long wish list. Starting with this sweater.
I was so fascinated by this brand and it looks like it’s one of those new direct to consumer ones with no stores? Kind of like a French Everlane. I kind of wonder if any French people are actually wearing it though? French readers, please tell me!
Other favorite items include this dress, this coat, and these boots. There are a lot of gorgeous items!
2. Let’s start this week with this article, via the NY Times about Japan’s working moms. Oh my goodness! No wonder nobody wants to get married, there. And I thought US preschools were bad…I cannot believe the list of daily asks.
3. A charming article from Artsy, about lessons we can learn from Georgia O’Keefe.
4. Very excited to share with you the biggest news story in the publishing industry this week – The New Yorker’s piece on Daniel Mallory, aka A.J. Finn, the writer of the super suspense hit of last year, The Woman In The Window. This book was a HUGE hit (incredibly hard to do as a debut novelist, yes I was so jealous) but this piece is even better. Incredible. The publishing industry’s version of that Bezos blog post that just came out, yes I know you know what I’m talking about.
5. This week, I am reading The Unwinding of the Miracle, by Julie Yip-Williams.
I first came across Julie a few years ago, when I discovered her blog, which talked about her struggle with colon cancer. I was immediately taken in by her incredible writing, her bravery, her honesty, in the face of this huge struggle. I recommend that all of you considering the book read the blog . Just a few entries, and you’ll see the power and beauty of her writing.
Julie and I got our book deals around the same time, and so exchanged a few emails. I was incredibly sad to hear about her passing. The book is incredible, a final work of art from a precious life, and I encourage you all to read The Unwinding of the Miracle.
13 Comments
Jaime
February 8, 2019 at 8:08 amI have to speak my mind – the clogs are, imo, hideous. Surely you can find something equally comfortable and more attractive. Just say no!
Jane
February 8, 2019 at 8:33 amThe article about Japanese working mothers was insane! The work and home schedule sounds crushing — physically, mentally, and emotionally. It also sounds completely awful for men as well. The article’s comments on the NYT website were very interesting and several parents who raised or are raising children in Japan commented.
mtlowe
February 8, 2019 at 8:40 amWow I have never heard of Julie, but I have tears going down my face reading one of her blog posts addressing her daughters with a letter before she dies. Thank you for always alerting us of great writers and articles, I love the Friday posts for that! Those clogs are really really comfortable but they are so hideous I don’t think you should buy them. I had them when they were really popular in the early 2000s. 🙂
Helen
February 8, 2019 at 8:59 amI own quite a few pieces from Sezane. Their stuff is well made but delicate. Fit true to size. Shipping is fast. I started buying when they were only selling in Europe and now they have a NY store. The price has gone up quite a bit…sigh.
Maria
February 8, 2019 at 11:00 amNever wear any shoes with the word “Professional” in the description! I’m a nurse and wore them with scrubs because I had to. Comfortable? Yes. Fashionable? God no.
I do love clogs but on off days I wear Kirsten Adolphson. Also comfy and -hey – loved by the French! Ines mentioned them in her Parisian style book and that’s how I discovered them. I’ve even seen them in French Vogue editorial pages. Good enough for me. ? I have them in all black and burgundy and adore them.
bisbee
February 8, 2019 at 1:44 pmI wore those clogs every day for a year…when I had a heel spur and they were the only shoes I could wear. They are comfortable if you are on your feet ALL day. If not, I’d vote no…
Anonymous
February 8, 2019 at 3:29 pmWow, the NYT article on Japanese working moms was unbelievable. So much worse than my own situation, but I do relate to so many aspects of those moms’ experiences overall. The household and school-related responsibilities really are a never ending challenge while trying to maintain a career post-kids. I was honesty trying not to cry reading the article, it all just hits home for me. Thanks for sharing this, very interesting read.
And yes Julie’s blog is so well written and powerful. Her beautiful letter to her daughters was unlike anything I have read.
vee
February 8, 2019 at 5:37 pmHi K, I love your blog and also live in the Bay! To the question about the clogs–I think they’re very unattractive :-). I work in a hospital, an they’re the cutest for the floor, since they’re protective, nonslip, and comfortable with socks. But otherwise they’re not as comfortable as any sneaker on the market. I like Sezane’s styles so much, as well! I have a few of their pieces, although the materials surprise me. They’re like French Madewell in so many ways: lots of poly and blends but at a huge, huge markup. You can get true designer pieces for a lot of those prices, but I agree that the styles are so stunning.
A.S.
February 9, 2019 at 7:29 pmI bought a pair of basic black Sanita clogs (which fit me better than Dansko) for medical school surgical rotations. They are the best shoe ever for standing all day or walking slowly, like you might do in surgery, classroom teaching, cooking, or, say, going to a museum. They’re less good for fast walking–too clunky. I’ve seen some restaurant staff make them look hip but in the medical profession we don’t do so well 😛
The preschool chores in the article on Japan’s working moms reminded me of the dioramas and other crafts projects assigned when I was a second grade student many years ago. They seemed designed to differentiate students into social classes. Even as second graders, we could tell which students had parents that could buy the fanciest materials and time to devote to the project. Thankfully by third and fourth grade math and reading took those projects’ place.
Monica B.
February 9, 2019 at 11:48 pmI also work in healthcare but I refuse to wear Danskos. They provide good support but minimal cushioning and they are cut much too wide for my narrow feet. I wear Ultra Boosts on most work days, which are extremely comfortable and never fly off my feet. On days where I have meetings, I wear my Everlane Modern Loafers with Dr. Scholl’s work gel insoles.
I adore Sezane’s designs, but I haven’t been able to stomach the apparel pricing. I also found the shoe sizing to be confusing. I ordered the Lea boots last year using the FR size chart (FR 39 = IT 38), but found that they ran very large. I suggest ordering based on your UK size instead.
Jenny
February 10, 2019 at 7:23 pmI do like Sezanne’s style and how effortless and feminine the pieces look, but I can’t bring myself to buy anything because I don’t like how they only present one type of woman. There’s no diversity among the models they use, and, after each session of online window shopping through their items, I get really bummed out that there’s no single person of color shown. I realized that this isn’t a store I want to support because their images are telling me that they don’t support me or the fact that I exist or other women like me exist in their ideal French view.
YB
February 15, 2019 at 9:03 amI bought the altuzarra shift dress per your sale PSA recommendation. I never would have discovered it had you not not mentioned it! It’s still a bit pricey for my budget but I have a special occasion coming up and it’s perfect for it. So thank you!
C
February 27, 2019 at 7:43 pmGreat book rec! I ordered a bunch of stuff from Sezane and loved most of it. Their silk top I like as much as my equipment one so far. I go to Paris for work often and I do think the style is quite French. My husband made me get rid of all my Danskos shortly after we met. I think they look decent with flared or wide leg pants.