WEEKEND READING LIST: 4.17.26 – Merritt Beck

1. BEAUTY

Paige Desorbo is everywhere, and I’m not complaining. I’ve never watched Summer House (although I’m totally tuned into the drama that’s been unfolding the last couple of weeks!!), but became a fan via her podcast, Giggly Squad, with co-host and comedian Hannah Berner. She’s freaking hilarious, drop dead gorgeous and has a wicked sense of style. I was shocked when she and Craig Conover broke up – they were truly such a stunning couple! Since leaving the show and her split from Craig last year, she has fully eclipsed her reality star beginnings to become an icon and total superstar in her own right. She was recently interviewed on Into The Gloss about all things beauty, skincare, and wellness, and I am locked in. Her anecdote about nail polish on your hands and feet matching is soooo real! I also love her openness about dealing with UTIs, because… relatable! She’s just the best.

2. FASHION

Barneys New York may be making a comeback, and right at home in their old location on Madison Avenue! Retailers come and go, but Barneys was undeniably a huge loss for the fashion industry. It stood out as daring, avant-garde and a visionary in the brick & mortar space, showcasing new and up & coming designers you’d never heard of (many that went on to become major household names in the industry). The 22,000 square foot space where they once resided has sat empty since it shuttered in 2019, but media company, Authentic Brands Group, is eyeing bringing the department store back to its former glory. I for one am SAT for this news! Please let it be true!!!

3. LIFE

I think many of us have considered moving abroad at least once in our lives. I had the opportunity to live in London for six months back in 2015, and I would 100% do it again! While my “move” was more for fun than for an actual lifestyle overhaul, I do get why people are interested in making a move like this permanent. With rising housing costs, a complicated and very flawed healthcare system, and imperfect education options in the US (tip of the iceberg!!), it’s no surprise more American citizens moved out of the US in 2025 than moved in! Moving abroad sounds great, but it’s a much more complicated process than you’d think, and there’s a lot to consider before making the jump. In this article, The Cut chats with three US citizens who moved abroad for financial reasons, and whether it was actually worth it.

4. INDUSTRY NEWS

In the most random decision of all time, shoe brand Allbirds has decided to pivot from designing footwear to AI. Like, I know AI is the thing right now, but how does one choose to jump from one entirely different business model and industry to another? I was never an Allbirds customer, but to say I’m confused is an understatement.

5. POP CULTURE

Nikki Glazer has been in “the business” for a long time, and she’s finally getting her flowers! She’s been a stand-up comedian since she was 18, and found success doing celebrity roasts and a number of popular comedy specials. While she was well known in the comedy community, it wasn’t until she did the Tom Brady Netflix roast and then was selected to host the Golden Globes that her star power really exploded. Now in her 40s, Nikki is set to co-star with one of the most famous women in the world, Kim Kardashian, in a new movie coming to Netflix, and the movie scripts keep rolling in. It’s inspiring to see a woman finding so much success in her 40s, especially in such a notoriously ageist industry! She was recently recognized in Time’s 100 Most Influential People list for 2026, so it was fun to read more about her experience and perspective given how hard she’s worked, sacrifices she’s had to make to achieve her dreams and discover more about her journey to stardom.

6. TRAVEL

Planning a trip up to the Big Apple soon? With everything in bloom right now, Central Park is an absolutely dreamy scene. It’s the time of year where you really would be blown away by the view from above, with cherry blossoms galore, sunny skies and lush, green landscapes. If you haven’t booked your hotel yet, get the skinny on which spots have the best views of the park here!

+ WHAT I’M EYEING

VIBRANT RESORT FINDS

PRINTED MINIDRESS // ORANGE BEADED NECKLACE // TURQUOISE DROP EARRINGS // ORANGE SUEDE RAFFIA TRIM BAG // PURPLE BIKINI TOP & BOTTOMS // PRINTED MIDI DRESS // ORANGE STUD EARRINGS // WHITE FLAT SANDALS // PURPLE BEADED EARRINGS // ORANGE SUNGLASSES // RAFFIA TOTE // WHITE JEANS // ORANGE CUFF // PRINTED HALTER // WHITE HEELED SANDALS // BLUE BOWL // ORANGE BOWL // PRINTED SHORTS // BLUE SANDALS

UNDER $100 DRESSES AT NORDSTROM

TOP ROW: WHITE PLEATED MINIDRESS // WHITE HALTER MIDI DRESS // WHITE PUFF SLEEVE MIDI DRESS // LACE TRIM MINIDRESS // STRAPLESS MAXI DRESS // WHITE MAXI DRESS

BOTTOM ROW: NEUTRAL OFF-SHOULDER MINIDRESS // GINGHAM MINIDRESS // PRINTED MIDI DRESS // FLORAL TIERED MIDI DRESS // YELLOW MIDI DRESS // BLUE MIDI DRESS

+ END OF WEEK EXTRAS

• This linen shirt + short set is the most gorgeous shade of cornflower blue! The perfect easy outfit for casual summer days. A fab price point too!
• I had a couple of these flavors at my friend’s place earlier this week and just ordered the variety pack for myself! SO yum, especially if you love an Arnold Palmer like I do.
• I’m very drawn to a couple of Loro Piana silk scarves right now… this seaside sunset print features such a rich and complex color palette, while this one is softer and more subtle. Which do you prefer?
• Once I polished off the Siberian Pine detergent this winter, I’ve transitioned to using Egyptian Rose and my laundry has never smelled better!
• A cute white top for everyday wear this spring/summer!
• I’m pretty lazy when it comes to making coffee at home – it’s either Chameleon cold brew or a Keurig K-Cup… but this viral banana latte popped up in my feed this week and I’m droooooooling!
• Adore the silhouette of these sandals.
• My mom bought these cutie sunglasses at my sister’s style show last week!
• Looking for a chic minimalist beach look? This olive bikini top, bottoms and matching sarong would be so chic with any color of neutral accessories!
• My friend Renna brought a box of these cookies to Mahjong Wednesday night and they may be my new favorite cookie. I’m not usually a fan of a thin cookie – I love a thick, gooey, dense, melty cookie… but something about these is totally addicting! They’re dangerous too, because you feel like you could eat 50 in one sitting. She got a variety box and every single flavor was insane! Highly recommend.
• These barely-there sandals are on my wish list for summer.
• This cropped denim jacket is on trend and under $50!