Keep a Bottle of Champagne in the Fridge
Weekend Reads v. 13.9.2025
This is one of those weeks that sending a post from this little corner of the internet feels trifling. Substack considers my subscriber count too low to be broadcast alongside my title page details, so who will notice a missing week on my timeline? Besides, talking about travel and quirky shopping finds feels like it could border on tone deaf if I’m not careful. I’m no expert on the human condition, so why should I speak?
I decided to proceed with my post because I think that perhaps we all need a break and a reminder. A break from a crushing news cycle and a painful anniversary. A reminder that while life is messy and hard, it is always worth celebrating.
Last week I came across a short essay by an author who has kept a bottle of champagne in her fridge for years while waiting for a specific occasion to celebrate. As she moved from apartment to apartment to a new house, she packed this bottle and re-shelved it while vowing she would eventually open and enjoy this drink when she could celebrate this accomplishment. The moment came, and she opened the champagne. But why should we just save the bubbly for those big moments in life that are obviously worth celebrating?
It feels odd to find a moment to celebrate this week, and yet I find myself celebrating. I have this tension inside myself every year during the second week of September.
You see, I went to college with a young man who died when the first tower was struck on September 11, 2001. He worked for a prestigious finance company located on a very high floor of that building. He never made it to a phone to say his final goodbye. My memory has faded to the point that all I can vividly picture of him is his jet-black hair seated in the row ahead of me in a business class. We weren’t friends, but we were friendly. When I learned he had perished on that horrific day, a clock started clicking. Every year since, I think of all the things I have been able to do that he never could do.
If you are reading this, you have a reason to pop a bottle of champagne. You are alive. You have a chance to brighten someone’s day, to show gratitude, to feel loved, to enjoy beauty.
So, after a week like this week when you come across the incessantly smug commentary of normal people who declare themselves to be national experts, ask yourself if you feel a renewed sense of compassion for your fellow humans after scrolling through carousels of elitism. When former colleagues and friends use the aftermath of a burdensome news cycle to shame and proclaim, ask yourself if you feel encouraged to love and serve those around you. If the answer is no, I dare say it is incumbent upon us to put down the screen and immerse ourselves in the physical. To feel the warmth of the sun on our skin, to enjoy the laughter of a loved one, and to marvel at the beauty found on a short walk.
We were not made to live in a heightened state of fear and dismay for prolonged periods of time. We were absolutely made to live in community. It is my prayer for you – and myself – that we immerse ourselves in our communities this weekend and pop that bottle of champagne. To be alive is an incredible gift.
This post feels appropriate to make another plug for Oddbird, my favorite sparkling rosé liberated from alcohol.French grapes brought to my glass from a clever Swede (and Amazon driver). What a time to be alive.
Tassel belts appear to be a thing now.
These new earrings from Jennifer Behr are giving me Sue Ellen Ewing vibes. Speaking of new earrings, the delicate flower studs from Vivan Drew are just perfect. I think the Hibiscus studs might be my favorite, and at $28 maybe they’ll be your favorite, too!
Last night, I came downstairs to watch another installment of C.B. Strike and announced to my husband, “I have snacks!” He replied, “Of course you do!” Because this girl (and my niece) loves her snacks. I came across the site Martie, and I’m intrigued. Deep discounts on some of my favorite items and SNACKS. Has anyone out there shopped this site? What was your experience like??
27 new novels are coming to shelves this autumn. (NYTimes gift link via The Stripe)
Like many people, the job of being an influencer seems too intense and too demanding for my personality. A former-or-maybe-still-active wellness influencer published a book recently about her experience on and offline. I don’t plan on reading the book or following the influencer, but I’ve found reviews of her story to be enlightening. Like, this fantastic excerpt from Sara Petersen’s review of the aforementioned book that perfectly captures what’s happening when you think about social media marketing for more than 30 seconds:
As LeefromAmerica, Lee was one of the first wellness influencers, and at the peak of her success, boasted 400,000 followers and earned around 300K a year. Her editor at Simon & Schuster refers to her book as a little “American Psycho,” and this characterization completely tracks for me. Here’s a harrowing and illuminating passage.
“I was a prop—a disposable, soulless, increasingly emaciated mannequin used by companies to sell more stuff. We all were—all the billions of us who thought we were using Instagram when really it was the other way around. I post a photo wearing a matching tank-top-and-leggings set. Someone sees that and buys the same set and posts a photo of themselves in it. Someone else sees that and buys it and posts a photo of themselves in it. Someone else sees that and buys it and posts a photo of themselves in it. Someone else sees that and buys it and posts a photo of themselves in it. Don’t forget to hashtag. Don’t forget to tag. Short captions drive more engagement. Long captions drive more engagement. Commenting on comments drives more engagement. Driving more engagement is lame. Posting to the grid is lame. Posting to the grid is cool. Post the thirst trap. Slide into the DMs. Deep like accidentally. Deep like intentionally. Soft launch the relationship. Unfollow after the breakup. Delete the soft launch post or leave it up? Definitely delete it, right? Look at that ring. Look at that wedding. Look at those kids. What’s wrong with that kid? Why are his teeth like that? Why is she posting photos of her kids? Wait, did they get divorced? Why did she stop posting photos of her husband? What’s her problem? Why hasn’t she talked about it? Why is she being so secretive? Why is she still talking about it? Why hasn’t she moved on already? I miss you, Grandma. You were taken too soon, Mom. I wish you were still here, Dad. Best dad ever. Best brunch ever. Best workout ever. Thanks leefromamerica for the outfit rec and discount count.”
SEE WHAT I MEAN? Tilghman lays bare the erasure of self that influencing demanded of her as a young person who barely knew herself, and her memoir is an excellent read for anyone who views professional influencing as an aspirational or remotely “easy” career choice. As a writer, her strength is a sometimes excruciating attention to detail that make the reader really feel the crushing pressure and claustrophobia of dancing to the algorithm’s mercurial rhythm. (Source)
Somehow, I missed a fantastic show in my roundup of recent British mystery shows. Hat tip to D for reminding me of the brilliance that is Department Q. And many thanks to J for adding the satirical British sitcom Upstart Crow to my watchlist.
The links are a little light this week because I’m working on gift guides for you. (!!) Yes, the calendar may read Middle of September, but we will be needing gift ideas soon enough!
I hope you take extra good care of yourself this weekend. I’m grateful you are here!
Amazon Affiliate link used in this post, so you know what that means!
Love this so much. It's such a good reminder to celebrate the little things, even when life gets tough. Please keep writing and sharing your thoughts. They're truly appreciated! Thank you!