As we all know, the internet is a place of excess and sensory overload. It’s also a place of junk. Now don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the way that the internet has made information more democratized and accessible, but I also hate how much mud you have to wade through to find anything of real substance. So here are a few articles that I’ve read lately that have stuck with me (other than everything on Basenotes, of course). Consider these the perfect lunch-break reads or coffee-break conversation-starters.
Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph interview: Vanity Fair
Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph are my two favourite comedians ever—and it makes me so happy that they are best friends (fun fact: I once spotted Rudolph in Vancouver’s Gucci boutique and was so awestruck, I was late for a meeting). This Vanity Fair interview (and the accompanying photos) takes a look at Rudolph and Poehler’s relationship, emphasizing the importance of female connection. It also plugs their new movie, Wine Country, which is about a group of women who go on a getaway together; it was actually inspired by the real-life trips the powerhouse cast of comedic women took. My heart hurts thinking about the laughs they must have had.
Caity Weaver on Cross-America Train Travel: The New York Times
I would read pretty much anything Caity Weaver writes—such as a story about travelling by Amtrak train from New York to Los Angeles. Along her journey for The New York Times, Weaver encounters some curious characters and gets hilariously real about the cramped sleeping quarters and mediocre food. But she also describes the majesty of America’s unpopulated landscapes, and having driven through a lot of Utah, I can attest to this mysterious, barren magic. Is travelling about the journey or the destination? This piece makes a case. (Want more Caity Weaver words? She wrote great pieces on the Royal wedding and Gal Gadot, for starters.)
Why “America Blew it on Arugula”: The Atlantic
This appealed to me solely because I love arugula. It’s my favourite leaf for every occasion—a salad, a sandwich, a pizza. We grow it in our garden at home and sometimes I just eat it fresh right off the stock. Anyhow, the article in The Atlantic argues how arugula never gets the attention it deserves as a hearty, resilient, and altogether tasty green. Did you know that Chilean sea bass was originally called Patagonian toothfish, but nobody bought it so they changed the name? Maybe all arugula needs is a little rebrand.
How Tata Harper gets it done: The Cut
I once met Tata Harper, and I will never forget her perfect red nails and effortlessly glowy skin. Being a big fan of her eponymous brand’s skincare products (they are natural and smell amazing), and always in favour of supporting female-founded companies, I was happy to check out what makes Harper herself tick. This The Cut interview breaks down a bit of her daily work and self-care routine, which is always a fascinating topic.
Cadillac’s new digital shopping experience: Retail Insider
Launching exclusively in Canada is Cadillac Live, a new online shopping experience in which people can live-video chat with an agent stationed in a special showroom. It’s an added step before the test-drive process, and it allows curious potential buyers to ask questions in real-time and see live footage of how a specific model works. I had the chance to test out the function recently and it is definitely useful (though I’m not on the hunt for a Cadillac, sadly). In the luxury shopping world, Cadillac Live definitely offers a fresh perspective. A Retail Insider story has more.
Karla Welch styles the stars: The New Yorker
This interview with British Columbia native Karla Welch is great, offering a deep-dive on her upbringing, her inspirations, and her career as a celebrity stylist. Counting Justin Bieber and Amy Poehler among her clients, Welch is known most of all for really working with her customers—enhancing their looks, but keeping their personalities front and centre.
The good thing about the internet is that it truly has something for everyone. These stories not for you? Try a newsletter, like Longreads or The New York Times Morning Briefing.
