Musings
This month marked another year around the sun. I definitely see aging as a privilege– it’s something I never take for granted. I spent time with family on my actual birthday, time with the best of friends (and many margaritas) the following day, and then treated myself to a solo staycation in Chicago a few days later. (As if I ever need an excuse to book travel haha.) Feeling very grateful as I head into this next year! Thank you to everyone who wished me well or spent time with me celebrating 🙂
I also spent 5 days in Mexico City this month for my cousin’s bachelorette party and cannot say enough good things about it! So many random people had made comments to all of us like why would you go there and it’s not safe, etc. But what we found was a world class destination with posh neighborhoods, trendy shops, amazing food, and endless cultural experiences. Mexico City is the largest city in North America and the 2nd largest city in all of the Americas! (Sao Paulo in Brazil is the first.) I have a lot to say about my time there in terms of travel–I won’t include bachelorette stuff–so I’m planning to write a whole post about it soon. All this to say we absolutely loved our time there celebrating the bride-to-be 🙂
Beauty
My friend introduced me to such a cool nail polish color, Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI. It looks black in person, but it’s actually considered purple. Loving this color and wanted to share it in my monthly favorites. Apparently this polish is decades old as my very cool California friends let me know haha. But hey that just means it’s stood the test of time and is still loved!
Reads
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
This book is technically a romance, but it reads like a novel. I read Fifty Shades of Grey back when that was getting a ton of hype, and to be honest, I haven’t read another romance novel since. Looking back, I’m not sure why Fifty Shades blew up the way it did because the writing is not good. But I’m glad I gave the genre another chance.
Seven Days in June is fresh and current and extremely well written. It’s sexy and dramatic but also feels realistic. There were some great musings on relationships in general that really spoke to me, and you don’t know which way things will go up until the very end. I highly recommend this one to those wanting to give “romance novels” another chance, or anyone looking for a great vacation/summer read.
“The Movie Star and Me” by Domenica Feraud
Give yourself about 30 minutes to sit down and read this article about a young intern who gets involved with an older, very famous celebrity at their work. If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift, you’ll know “all too well” which celebrity this is about, and I just continue to be sickened.
When we found out Taylor Swift was going to release the 10 minute version of “All Too Well” last November, many of us tried to keep our expectations low. The original song is already sooooo perfect, and if cuts had to be made, there was probably a reason for that. The original version is more vague and kind of romanticizes those passionate loves that just don’t work out. Those flames that burn bright but aren’t sustainable. She writes, “Maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much, but maybe this thing was a masterpiece til you tore it all up.” What a fucking line. It just didn’t work out and who’s to say why.
But the 10 minute version showed us that there was something much more sinister going on in this relationship. Gaslighting, power struggles, screaming fights… I don’t know why I was surprised when I listened once and realized that the 10 minute version is easily 10x better than the original (a reminder to never doubt Taylor’s writing abilities but I digress). I highly recommend watching the short film to see what I’m talking about.
So back to “The Movie Star and Me.” It was chilling. The writer captured something so hard to put into words, which is probably why we don’t have more written about this: the gray areas of consent and what role power plays in intimacy. In a post-#MeToo era, we are much more aware of what’s acceptable, when to speak up, and we even have a bit more confidence we’ll be believed if we do. But it’s the micro-aggressions that are hard to talk about. The gut feeling that something is wrong paired with some level of desire for that very thing to happen anyways. I’m just so impressed with how this writer expressed those gray areas– you really have to read it for yourself to understand.
This young woman was very smart and knew where she stood in the hierarchy and still got fooled. I want to come full circle with the Taylor Swift connection. From all the songs we have about this same guy, it seems like Taylor went into this relationship with an open heart thinking this man had genuine feelings for her. Taylor does hold a level of power that the intern does not, so there’s that, but it just goes to show this sick pattern this man has of playing with young women for sport, something that’s still going on 10 years later.
There’s a line in the 10 minute “All Too Well” that just destroyed me when I first heard it: “Just between us did the love affair maim you too?” Before reading this article, I had a vision in my head of this man being affected by the relationship with Taylor–its volatility, its passion, its secret moments between two lovers. That he was maimed by it, too. That he didn’t come out unscathed. But now with what this article brought to light, I sadly bet this movie star was just fine.
There are definitely people getting cancelled due to sexual misconduct these days more than ever. But chances are, if you’re making Hollywood money, you’ll be protected by everyone involved. This movie star had not responded to any questions about the 10 minute “All Too Well” or short film in the months since their release. And then this article comes out and a month later he decides to respond about the Taylor Swift stuff. There’s a reason for that timing that shouldn’t be ignored (cough PR cover up cough).
Anyways, all this to say, please read this article and let me know your thoughts. The similarities in the way he treated the intern which she described in the article and how Taylor has portrayed the relationship in many songs are striking. And sickening. And should definitely be talked about more.
Podcasts
The “Birds Aren’t Real” episode of Armchair Expert was 10/10. It’s about conspiracy theories, but I don’t want to say more and give anything away. If you feel like we’re living in increasingly unreasonable times, give this one a listen. You won’t be disappointed. Even Monica and Dax’s minds were blown.
In Case You Missed It
Athen’s Walking Tour I have a YouTube channel called Walk With Allison where I take you with me all over the world for some slow-TV style escapes. Subscribing would mean so much to me, and thanks for all the support so far! In my latest video, I take you all around the highlights of Athens, Greece.
Bring Your International Bucket List to the U.S. with These 10 Trips I had the absolute best time daydreaming about these U.S. based, bucket list worthy trips. Covid restrictions seem to be easing by the day, but staying state-side will always be simpler. I hope one of these ideas sparked a new travel goal for you!
4 Nights in the Bahamas I went on my 2nd Annual Caribbean Escape this winter to the Bahamas with my best friend! I shared everything we got up to and how we did The Atlantis on a budget.
Words
It looks like the end, it seems like a sunset, but in reality it is a dawn.
–Rumi