Sunday Snaps
Recp and Recs for February & March!
Hi everyone! I wasn’t sure about posting this Sunday Snap so late, but I chatted with a friend the other evening and she told me these posts are her “Sunday Style Section”, so with that in mind, here I am. I’m off by weeks, but still…this is a long one! February and March have seemed like an eternity. The family emergency that’s been delaying my productivity is ongoing, but a bit better. That said, it’s been a stressful few weeks. I’m not someone who does very well with stress — I absorb it and seem to hold it in my body and then wonder why I get sick or injured. So this, plus…you know, life in America at the moment, and…overall things, are very tender but getting along.
Me? I’m fine. I’m not sick, but having a lot of body pain and it’s like the slightest thing is making me fatigued, which is the stress taking over. On the other hand, I’m proud of myself for maintaining my sense of humor and still getting it together to do things, socialize a little, and be a normal person (mostly).
This is a long and round-about way of saying: things are kinda shit at the moment and I really appreciate all of your patience with everything. I am so grateful for my friends and family who have been amazing in these weeks. I’d say more but I’m not quite there yet. Thank you all for everything!
The Spring
I’ve just crossed the 400 subscribers threshold and I’m so grateful! Of course I’d love to see another zero on that number, but it will happen. I promise there’s still a few surprises left! Oh hey! I created a Pinterest board with ALL of the chapter images all together…and they’re all individually linked to their chapters! Yes, it was a lot of work, but I’m here for you. Pin away! I have to say that it’s cool to see them all together…
I’m currently working to record the chapters to add an “audiobook” option, but obviously this is taking some time. (Not helped by the fact that there is still a very active construction site across the street from me and the constant polyphonic symphony of machine beeping has me grinding my teeth in irritation.) Just know that I’m getting to it! This option will be behind the paywall, just FYI.
In fact, once The Spring concludes, only the “Saturday” chapters will be free. This is roughly the first 18 chapters of the investigation, so people can get a good long teaser. Highly recommend reading and sharing with friends NOW so people can still get going for free.
Seen. Heard. Enjoyed. Still Thinking About.
I realize that in over a year on Substack, I haven’t made many mentions of Substacks I enjoy, so here are a few!
First,
is doing the Lord’s work right now. If you want a clear-eyed perspective on American civics and history, she’s an essential. The way she connects the information points into a clear narrative clears up a lot of the confusion out in the world right now. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes reading her essays is terrifying, but it is also nice to have things make a bit more sense.Really enjoying
’s Dinner Music — weekly music write-ups as well as a fantastic accompanying playlist on Spotify. I’m listening to this week’s playlist as I write this, which is devoted to the oft-overlooked women of Yacht Rock. It’s a great mood. Another “cultural” (for lack of a better term) Substack that I’m obsessed with is Chloë Cassens’ Like, obsessed. Apart from being a wildly intelligent writer who connects the dots between art, culture, film, and music, Cassens is clearly the kind of sexy LA it-girl we dream of knowing in real life. Her work is devoted to Jean Cocteau and his circle, which, if you got around to reading chapter 75 of The Spring, you’d know why I love this. (I’ve been fascinated by Cocteau since art school: film, theatre, buildings, paintings, writings — I love that he took on so many disciplines, making his work interrelate into a much deeper, larger oeuvre.)When people ask me for a go-to for design inspiration, my first thought is
’s A La Carte. Gorgeously presented mood boards, brand recommendations, travel ideas, and witty essays on culture. Speaking of witty, ’ The Love List devoted to the “culture of shopping” presents her picks with love and a gimlet eye in turn. As a corporate retail veteran, I’m always surprised at the brands she showcases that are unknown to me. She mentions it being about the “thrill of discovery” and she definitely delivers. I’m likewise entranced by the beautifully curated vintage collections assembled by over on Trash Panic. Her recent post styling looks inspired by a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago is fantastic…In the ever-broad, ever-ambiguous “lifestyle” category, I love
’s Amuse Bouche— travel, beauty, preppy style, entertaining, food — but with Ouellet’s own brand of California chic. ’s The Stripe/The Scratch Pad offers style, ideas, entertaining, books, and beauty with Grace’s signature charm. I’m definitely inspired to get going on Mahjong and Backgammon events with friends…and cocktails.Want some more charm and grace? Okay here are two more charming Graces:
’s Don’t Touch the Art is…well, I’m not sure what it is, but it’s a lot of fun. Essays about style and shopping, witty send-ups about astrological signs — I can’t explain it, it’s just good. ’s Low Key High Maintenance had me at hello. (In fact, I told her this out of the gate.) A devotee of the category insiders call haute joaillerie, Grace gives a refreshing take on selections for your jewelry collection and the other finer things in life. I truly appreciate that she turns away from the tired standbys (Le Labo Santal 33 and Cartier Love Bracelets, for instance,) and offers fresh, covetable recommendations. She’s also very funny.
Shows! Yes, I’ve been getting caught up. Are you ready?
I really enjoyed Black Doves, not only because it’s similar to Slow Horses, but I enjoyed that the story was full of multi-cultural, queer, and femme characters which you normally don’t see on a show like this. There’s an element of traditional masculine British government, of course, but it quickly becomes clear that they’re not really in charge of things. Not only is Keira Knightley’s character ferocious, but all of the power players in the narrative are women — even the gangsters. It’s refreshing.
Apple Cider Vinegar was a complete trip. A satire on influencer wellness culture, this show is photographed in a really lush, gorgeous way that gives a nod to the hyper-real world it depicts. The story is an adaptation of the real story of Australian scammer Belle Gibson, but it’s almost so outrageous you cannot believe it. (Highly recommend watching the accompanying documentary about Belle Gibson after viewing this.)
I enjoy reality TV but I’ve never been one for the “competition” format — never got into Survivor or Top Chef or any of them…especially not The Bachelor/Bachelorette after a season or two. (Never want to hear “here for the right reasons” ever again.) That said, many friends recommended Traitors so I checked it out. It’s entertaining for sure, but I only knew who 30% of the people were in the cast. I like the round table format and there is definitely an elevated sense of strategy, but not sure it’s my thing. Everyone is sort of terrible and I generally need someone to root for. Of course, I’m now a big Gabby Windey fan. As I saw someone describe her: “It’s like Gloria Steinem and Jennifer Tilly had a baby.” Yes.
I read Patrick Radden Keefe’s Say Nothing a few years back and it’s an incredible book. (It makes a nice pairing with Fintan O’Tooles’ We Don’t Know Ourselves.) I finally got to watch the Hulu series and while I couldn’t look away, I’m also feeling awful about it. It really is a close-up depiction of just how destructive “The Troubles” were on both sides. It’s certainly relevant to some of the current conflicts in the world, so worth a watch for that alone, but know that it is DARK and will stay with you for a long time afterward.
In the true crime department (I can’t lay off), I had my heart broken by American Murder: Gaby Petito as well as Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer, both on Netflix. Incompetent (and corrupt) police work is just never ever okay. All of these women deserved better.
Finally got to In Vogue: the 90s and it was everything you all promised me and then some. I’m feeling nostalgic and in need of more collagen. I loved seeing Hamish Bowles giving his commentary; he is such a wealth of knowledge and insight into all things fashion history. If you’re so inclined, please go read my interview with HB from 2011 when he came to San Francisco to curate the Balenciaga and Spain show at the de Young. Of course, with my up-close look at that show (even though many years ago), I was entranced by the Cristóbal Balenciaga series that’s now out on Hulu. It makes a nice pairing with The New Look from AppleTV+ last year, but this series is far better. The casting is impeccable, I love how the actors go seamlessly between French and Spanish throughout, and the reproductions of spaces and fashions are exact. It shows Balenciaga in all his complicated moods: passionate, devastated, impassive, wildly funny and warm. Along with Netflix’s Halston, and Hulu’s Becoming Karl Lagerfeld, this biopic series is in the top 3 for fashion (for me).
If you do read that interview with Hamish Bowles, you’ll see that when asked about a film that he finds consistently inspiring, he answered with The Leopard. Visconti’s version from 1963 is legendary for its lushness (and one I’ve even gone out of my way to see on the big screen). So, you can imagine how cautiously I approached the Netflix series of Lampedusa’s novel. (Yes, I’ve read it too.) This version of The Leopard is equally lush and definitely more entertaining. Let’s face it, a lot of Visconti’s films, tho brilliant, are pretty slow-moving. This new version is spread over 6 parts, so the nuances of the politics and classism are expanded. Also, eldest daughter Concetta, who is essentially an afterthought in the Visconti version (I’m not kidding, she basically disappears 30 minutes in), is brilliantly developed into a complex character that serves as a foil for her father, Prince Salina — The Leopard. She also has a face that looks like a Leonardo da Vinci drawing. If anything, this show is almost too beautiful. In the role of Angelica (made famous by Claudia Cardinale) we have Deva Cassel — daughter of two of the world’s best-looking people: Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel. Her face is so perfect she’s almost hard to look at, but luckily Angelica is made more complex and compelling too. In fact, I’d say the only fatal flaw in the production is the use of overly-wide drone shots here and there that have clearly been saturated in post — it takes you right out of the otherwise incredibly authentic period styling. There’s a great accompanying documentary that goes behind the scenes on the production and costuming which is fantastic too. Overall, very worth the watch, and while I haven’t seen an actual statement to affirm this, I feel like Hamish Bowles would like it too.
May I Recommend?:
Okay, this is a new thing I’m going to try occasionally. It’s because I love old movies and I’ve often wanted to “program” my own screenings, based on what would be a relevant reference for current events. I’ve had this thought for YEARS, probably inspired by Dave Packard owning the Stanford Theatre in Palo Alto, and doing the programming himself. I went to see Sabrina there years ago, and he came out pre-screening and said something to the effect of “I own the place; if I want to show Audrey Hepburn films, I will…”
I also recently heard someone qualify old films with “if you’re comfortable with watching them…” I cannot fathom how such films are “uncomfortable”. I realize that black & white film stock isn’t the norm any more, and neither is the mid-Atlantic accent, but get over it people. Film references are culture and if you can’t connect your references, you’re going to miss a few layers.
With all this in mind, I want to offer four classics that may give you some hope in our current dystopian world:
Mr Smith Goes to Washington, Frank Capra, 1939 - Senator Jefferson Smith walked so Cory Booker could run. Oh, Capra-esque sweetness isn’t your thing? It’s really too bad that you don’t have a soul. This film is solid.
Born Yesterday, George Cukor, 1950 - Apart from my personal adoration of Judy Holliday, AND my personal lust for a 1950 William Holden and his slutty little glasses, this film is just as sharp 75 years later. Based on a play by the great Garson Kanin, this film shows how just a bit of American history and understanding of civics can change your life for the better. It’s also laugh-out-loud funny.
A Face in the Crowd , Eliz Kazan, 1957 - Okay so this one is actually a little bit of a mind fuck, but that’s why it’s important. It portrays a story we know very well: talentless radio star (Larry Rhodes) gets a good agent, lots of promotion, gains national following on television, makes political endorsements… Even his agent regrets giving him a platform by the end of it.
All the President’s Men, Alan J. Packula, 1976 - It’s the story of Watergate based on the book by Woodward & Berstein, of course. Not gonna lie, it’s a bit boring, but it’s important to see that there once was an era when the fourth estate did the right thing.
Rewatchables
Here’s a few films I’ve re-watched recently just because…
Great Expectations, Alfonso Cuarón, 1998. This came up in my streaming options and I went for it the other night, realizing that I hadn’t watched probably in 20 years. Oh my. The gloriously perfect late-90s Donna Karan wardrobe, the beautifully childlike Francesco Clemente artwork, the soundtrack — my god, that Pulp song had me in a chokehold for ages — the Anne Bancroft of it all. Don’t get me wrong, it has it’s flaws, but it’s romantic update on the Dickens story and both of the stars are beyond beautiful. This film has a style and I’m still here for it.
Picnic at Hanging Rock, Peter Weir, 1975. I know this is a deep cut for some, but let me say this: there would be no Sofia Coppola style if not for this film. (Specifically The Virgin Suicides & The Beguiled, but others apply too.) It’s dreamy, girlie, disturbing, odd, beautiful, romantic… I wasn’t a huge fan of this film when I first saw it, but I appreciate it more and more. It definitely requires a suspension of disbelief, but it’s a worthy departure.
Tried and Liked
It’s that time of year! You know, when the Diptyque City Candles are available? It’s only for a week, so we’re already two days in since they hit the stores on the 11th. Get going! My favorite is the Paris candle, but I also love New York. Available online, but I’m going to pop by my store to smell the new Milan candle too…
I cannot remember where I heard about these Blender Bombs, but I tried them and they are really great. I use them more when I’m low on fruit, or if I just need a little something more in the protein mix, because yeah, it gets boring. They’re really hearty and give a lot of good stuff in one dose. They’re pricey, but a good option to have on hand.
Okay I know EVERYONE is talking about these little Loop Earplugs, but I bought mine last fall and they have been essential. The construction noise right outside at least becomes manageable when I wear them. They’re good looking, comfortable, and have a great little carrying case so they won’t get lost — even when they live on your own desktop.
That’s it! That’s your extended Sunday Snaps! See you again end of May…maybe? Probably more like end of June.
Until then, much love…
-Annie
Enjoy Sunday Snaps? Here’s one from last year:
Omg thank you for the mention. I’m so touched 😩🥹❤️🥰
Thanks so much for including me! xo