WEEKEND READING LIST: 5.22.26 – Merritt Beck

1. TECH

Well this is alarming; apparently Americans are now spending more than eight hours a day on screens. This article explores how normalized it’s become to constantly split our attention, like checking emails during conversations, scrolling while watching TV, texting during phone calls (guilty!) – to the point where being fully present almost feels unusual now. So what should we do? Get outside. Studies found that even just 10–20 minutes outside can improve your mood, lower cortisol levels, and help with focus in measurable ways. Nothing revolutionary or expensive, just… going outside. No apps, subscriptions, or downloads required.

2. FASHION

I completely missed the “drama” with Olivia Rodrigo and her babydoll dresses, but this was actually a fascinating fashion history lesson. Despite the name, babydoll dresses weren’t originally children’s clothing at all. They started as shortened women’s sleepwear during WWII fabric rationing before evolving into a major fashion silhouette in the ’60s and later evolving during the grunge era with Courtney Love. Every generation seems to reinterpret the style differently: mod girls, riot grrrls, now the whole “coquette” aesthetic on TikTok. One guarantee in the fashion world – everything old is new again.

3. INDUSTRY

I’ve seen a lot of coverage on Shein’s acquisition of Everlane and the end of millennial optimism, but this piece from Vogue makes a fascinating point – fashion’s real power shift is happening behind the scenes now, in supply chains and logistics rather than just branding. Now, it’s all about centralizing data systems and ownership over sourcing and fulfillment. Sad is it may be, successful companies are the ones able to pivot on a dime. Experts are arguing that this acquisition proves financial value is derived from the supply chain, rather than marketing and branding. Yes, Everlane had the cool merchandising and style…but also the debt. I’m tuned in and very interested to see how this all plays out, for better or for worse.

4. BOOKS

My friend Becca is a fan of Carley Fortune’s books (they make great beach reads!), so I was excited to see this interview with her ahead of her new novel Our Perfect Storm being released. She shares a whole slew of book recommendations from the book that taught her to love reading to the book she wishes she’d written, as well thoughts on her reading taste and how to be a “better reader.” I didn’t know two of her books are being adapted for Netflix and Amazon Prime shows – I’ll definitely be watching!

5. TRAVEL

If you’ve been thinking about traveling solo, read this! The writer talks about realizing, while sitting alone at a café in Amsterdam on what was supposed to be a girls trip, that nobody was judging her for being by herself the way she’d imagined they would be. And from there, she started noticing all the unexpected upsides of solo travel: moving entirely at your own pace, meeting more people organically, and not spending precious vacation time navigating someone else’s moods or preferences. I’ll admit. it takes a minute to get your bearings, but once you gain a bit of confidence it’s so fun to explore on your own.

6. BEAUTY

Why does your skin suddenly freak out the second the seasons change? Well, there’s actual science behind it! Shifts in temperature, humidity, pollen, sun exposure, and even air conditioning can throw your skin barrier completely out of balance, which is why people suddenly experience random breakouts, redness, dryness, and irritation seemingly overnight. Ideally, your skincare routine should change with the season to combat this. Lighter gel moisturizers, antioxidants, and extra SPF in warmer months; richer creams and more barrier support in colder months. My skin definitely behaves a little bit differently every season, so this all tracked for me!

+ WHAT I’M EYEING

NEW DRESSES FROM SHOPBOP

(top) FLORAL MINI // STRAPLESS DRESS // RUFFLED DRESS // GEOMETRIC DRESS // SKATER DRESS (bottom) WHITE MAXI DRESS // PINK FLORAL DRESS // PURPLE STRAPLESS DRESS // GREEN DRESS // ONE SHOULDER DRESS // BLACK FLORAL DRESS

DAYTIME SUMMER LOOK

DRESS // PURSE // SANDALS // EARRINGS

+ END OF WEEK EXTRAS