Worth Mentioning
What's earning its spot in my wardrobe, on my tv, in my ears and more
Reporting live from a perfect fall day in the Pacific Northwest. I am sitting on our back deck on a 77 degree day and can hear a neighbor in the park behind our house playing the banjo. No lie.
Starting this month, I’m putting a personal spin on my ‘five things' series and launching Worth Mentioning - five things (six today!) that I am thinking about, enjoying, eating, wearing and celebrating. Not everything makes the cut. Just the stuff that’s actually worth its weight in time, money, or attention span.
I am not claiming to change lives, just sharing my personal gospel of good stuff.
Right now I’m in Portland watching the leaves turn and reminding myself this cold front is temporary—Mexico-bound in December. But for now, I’m leaning into fall with angry girl music, baggy clothes, and a renewed print journalism habit. Here’s what’s worth mentioning this month:
ANGSTY FEMALE ROLE MODELS FROM THE 90S
Confession: I don’t pay for a music service (dumb story for another time), so I’m at the mercy of the radio in the car when I’m not listening to a podcast- more on that below. I rotate between four stations playing everything from Doja Cat to the Rolling Stones, so it is a cause for celebration when Alanis, Mariah, or Fiona hit my speakers. Transporting me back to middle school and reminding me that girl power was more than just the Spice Girls. No shade to them though. Plus it’s become an unexpected education for Mario on female icons.
LEMME SAY THIS POD
Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix have created the podcast for true lovers AND haters of pop culture, which is the exact type of conversation on the subject matter that I want to have. They’re dissecting everything with the perfect balance of genuine enthusiasm and healthy skepticism. They/we are talking reality tv, prestige tv, movies and cinema, fashion and trends that need to die, plus lots of thoughts on Justin Bieber. I honestly feel better informed knowing them. Find the pod here.
THE PITT
I am happy to report that Mike and I recently found a show that we are equally invested in and is available to binge- although not recommended. An emotional rollercoaster that has made me more than once feel like a piece of shit when I compare my work day to day to our frontline medical workers. The insane energy and pacing: fast, relentless, no filler feels like scrolling TikTok but make it prestige TV—and I mean that as the highest compliment. Get ready to clock in with the trailer to start your 12 hour (15 eps really) shift.
MY FALL OUTFIT RECIPE: BAGGY EVERYTHING
As much as I hate the gloomy weather (certified weather wimp right here!) I have found comfort in an almost forgotten seasonal outfit recipe for success: new, you can’t beat the price, jeans (baggy) or the thrifted adi track pants I found last month, the cardigan I picked up in June & have not stopped wearing (oversized), and my MVP Lulu camisole underneath holding it all together. Bostons when it’s dry, Paul Green chelsea boots when Portland remembers it’s the Pacific Northwest.
THE SUNDAY PAPER - LIKE ACTUALLY PAPER
After a dormant few years (blame living in Mexico part time) I reinstated our subscription for the hard copy that is delivered bright and early each Sunday morning to our front steps. We are on week five and I have truly loved reinstating the tradition of reading newsprint Sunday mornings. Mike and I sit in the living room now for a couple hours each sunday modeling habits of being informed (and off screens) while our kids ignore us and make a mess somewhere in the house. We get them involved by making them retrieve the paper from outside and have been encouraging Mario to do the mini crossword in the living with us or in the least read it aloud so Mike and I can compete to see who can answer each clue first.
BONUS - RENT OUR FURNISHED HOME
Yup, it is that time of year again when we do a life swap and return to Mexico. Our Portland house will be available December 1st 2025- end of June 2026. We have had great luck renting to friends and friends of friends so please share to anyone who might be relocating, remodeling, consciously uncoupling? The house is 3 beds, 2.5 baths, big yard, hot tub and fully furnished. Please share either this post on IG or ask me for the link to all the details.
Thank you so much for opening and reading today’s post and letting me live out my girlhood dreams of working as a magazine columnist. I would love any shares or referrals, I have the humble goal of hitting 500 free subscribers by the end of the year. So if you liked this post or previous ones please share to a friend or within the substack community.
What’s earning its place in your world right now? Tell me in the comments—I’m always looking for something new to distract me from what I should be doing.
xx Ly
PPS If you liked today’s post you might like some of these from my archive:
Love this new series AND loved The Pit!