The Saturday Group Text, #65
what I watched over the break (it's a LOT), the yummiest dip, "fun" CBD seltzers, travel beauty storage, a very good under eye brightener.
Hi there — happy Saturday!
The above photo is from “cookbook club” with my girlfriends. It’s a fun excuse to get together every month. Some months, we pick a cookbook, others, a theme. This month’s theme was dips. It was glorious (and very unhealthy). An entire meal, comprised of dips. I highly recommend it.
Weekend Reading is up on the blog. It’s the first of the year and it felt good to pull together. The most anticipated books of the year. Cheap travel destinations. The best beauty products from 2024. Sage productivity advice, but also: toxic productivity. How to keep your jewelry in good shape. Jennifer Anniston on aging. And more. I hope you enjoy the list!
This post is too long for email, so click through to read it. (And give it a heart if you are feeling nice—it helps others find me!).
The New York Times’ Buffalo Chicken Dip
You are probably being healthy right now, and so am I mostly . . . but my cookbook club did “dips night” (sometimes we do a cookbook, sometimes we do a theme), and I made this buffalo chicken dip (gift link) and holy moly, I wanted to eat the whole thing. It’s very easy (takes about 20 minutes, including cooking it), and just. so. good. Highly recommend. Serve with tortilla chips, carrots + celery, a soup spoon?
An Extremely Fun Seltzer
I am not doing Dry January (damp January, perhaps?), but overall, I drink a lot less alcohol than I used to. I was super excited to try out Anytime (a new cannabis-infused seltzer) as I heard that Anytime’s effects come on more immediately than typical edibles . . . just 10-15 minutes. That means more control over the experience, which is important to me!
The mango is my favorite and I find that half a can is the perfect buzz (each can includes 5mg delta 9 THC and 15mg CBD, which tracks for me). Just a little buzz (similar to a couple glasses of wine), great sleep, zero hangover. I also love that they aren’t sweetened (the flavor is kind of like a LaCroix seltzer) and that there isn’t any herbal flavor. Delicious! Use GRACEATWOOD for 20% off!
Sponsored Mention
I am a sucker for an Instagram ad (and really, anything promising to help my undereye circles and bags). This luminous eye corrector is the real deal. I bought the light shade and it’s perfect.
I use the metal applicator to dot on just a little bit under my eyes and then blend it with my fingers (low maintenance, which is what I like). It plays well with my eye creams (no pilling, etc) and provides great coverage without looking like makeup. It doesn’t settle into fine lines, it doesn’t crease, it’s pretty wonderful. It’s been a part of my daily routine since purchasing. I highly recommend it. I’ll do a blog post with proper before and after photos, but I wanted to let you know first!
Cadence’s New Travel Sets
Cadence gifted me one of their new travel sets, and I could not love it more. The perfect way to very efficiently store all of your travel essentials. I was already a big fan of their brand and had some of the original capsules, but these are even better. You get 3 of the larger size, 3 of the smaller size, in a beautiful clear pouch with a magnetic closure. There’s plenty of room for makeup, a razor, etc. meaning that you really can fit everything you need for a long weekend in one tiny, very chic cube. Brilliant!
As expected, I watched quite a bit over the break! Couch curmudgeon <3
Film //
The Apprentice. (rented on Apple TV) This is “the Trump film,” with Sebastian Stan. It chronicles his rise, from young and eager accolyte to real estate tycoon. It centers around his relationship with his mentor, Roy Cohn. Chilling and hard to watch at times. I’m glad I watched it but I can’t say I enjoyed it? Trigger warning: there’s horrible (and highly controversial) rape scene. This article helps fact-check the film.
Barry Lyndon. (rented on Apple TV) This is a Kubrick film from the 70’s that my boyfriend really wanted to see. Jerry Saltz talked about how beautiful the cinematography was (truly, it is like watching a 3-hour-long oil painting). Still, the plot grabbed me as well (it’s a dark comedy about a young Irishman who works his way up to nobility). We both loved it.
Perfect Days. (rented on Apple TV) This was a
rec but I had been saving it to watch with my bf as it is his perfect film. This is about a toilet cleaner living in Japan. Not a lot actually happens, but it’s beautifully told and filmed. I really enjoyed it.Gladiator (rented on Apple TV) My bf’s 12 y/o wanted to watch this — it was a rewatch for me, but it had been a while. Loved it! I forgot what a great film it was. Both Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe give amazing performances!
Saturday Night (rented on Apple TV) This is about the 90 minutes leading up to the first episode of SNL. It’s stressful and intense, and I loved it! Afterward, I was curious, so I watched the exact episode (you can stream all 50 seasons on Peacock!) and was so impressed by how accurate both the casting + costumes were.
A Real Pain (rented on Apple TV) Cousins (played by Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin) travel to Poland to see where their grandmother lived. Things get very tense. It is funny in a dark way, and really beautifully filmed. It’s slow at times but I ultimately enjoyed it.
The Substance (rented on Apple TV) I am still thinking about this one and could probably write an entire newsletter with my thoughts. A (very beautiful) Demi Moore turns 50. On that day she is fired from her high-profile dance job. She takes drastic measures, and that is all I’ll say. This is pure body horror. It’s gross. It’s hard to watch. It’s also a mediation on ageism, unrealistic expectations of women, sexism, and more.
Flow (rented on Apple TV) This is an animated foreign film; it’s lovely! I wanted something soothing to watch during the stress of the fires and this delivered. It’s about a cat (lol) who has lost his home to a flood. He bands together with a lemur, a dog, a bird, and a capybara as they navigate to dry land. I loved it. Heartwarming and sweet (and totally kid-appropriate; my niece and nephews would love!).
TV //
The Day of the Jackal. (streamed on Peacock) On a Friday morning, texted me that this was a must. I took her word for it and by Saturday night, had finished all ten episodes. This. Show. is! Just. so. GOOD! Eddie Redmayne is an assassin. And you feel awful, but you really root for him.
Mirth Resort launched, and the colors + prints are to die for. My picks are this dress (I’d wear it without the belt), + this top and shorts set.
Lake’s Valentine’s Day collection is SO cute. I got a few things for myself, but I got my niece this set and this set. (Another good recent niece gift: this cozy sweater/scarf/hat set).
HigherDose made us a code. GRACE15 <3 There are no words for how much I love my sauna blanket. This post has the full scoop on benefits + how to use it.
Shopbop Hearts are up to date!
There was a glitch with my Outset code in yesterday’s letter but it’s fixed now. GRACE20 will get you 20% off the essentials set—such a great deal!
Dorsey did a big restock over the holidays! Everything is in stock and ready to ship immediately . . . no lead times! Of note: my favorite tennis necklace (I have 18”), my favorite emerald ring (you sold this out over the holidays!), these Jessica McCormack dupes, and the newer emerald Emile earrings (I just got these and love them).
- is one of my favorite writers — thrilled to see her launch a beauty Substack, Soft Power. I signed up immediately.
TWP has quickly become a favorite brand. Their shirts are splurgey but truly: the quality, cuts, and fabrics are beyond. This shirt is my newest favorite, the fabric is so silky, almost a little shiny. Their sale section has some great stuff. I recommend this silky stripe shirt, this white stripe shirt, this charmeuse shirt. I find the M/L fits me perfectly.
La Vie Style House Sale is also a fave (best caftans!), and also having a big sale. My picks would be this sheer white kaftan and this pretty mini.
We will end with an affordable gem! A reader in the chat recommended these $30 satin pants from Target. They look a lot like my faves from La Ligne. She said that they wash well, too!? I’m eyeing the navy.
The target pants are recommended by me 😉 10/10!
Dips are my dream meal. OMG dips and a book. Ahhhhh. Thank you for so many delights!