On a High Note: Vol 28

A VERY happy Monday to us all!!

I hope you all exhaled, enjoyed, and celebrated a very historic weekend on so many levels and feel uplifted, inspired, and hopeful as we move forward and get to work! (You can see our celebratory dance here!)

It’s time to fill up our coffee cups and start a new week off On a High Note: Our Monday roundup series full of motivating, interesting, fun and/or helpful snippets and ideas to try, read, make, cook, drink, do, shop, and so on! Read on for our favorite highlights to check out this week!

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What Kamala Harris faces as a ‘first’

Image via Politico

“The woman with so many firsts! First woman, first Black vice president, first Black woman vice president, first South Asian American, first South Asian woman, first VP who’s a stepmom, first HBCU grad, and the first vice president-elect to do a victory lap to the beat of Mary J. Blige. She’s already an enormous symbol, role model, and light to so many of us — and she’s just getting started.

This Politico piece dives into the exclusive club of first-evers, women of color who shattered glass ceilings, and the lessons they offer for Harris — ‘their accounts, and their biographies, speak to a truth about America familiar to many women of color: when you assume power, there are high expectations. You become, effectively, a one-woman band with a mandate to defy all the low expectations of you, your race, and your gender.'” — Kendall

Watch...

“The Undoing” on HBO

“Neal and I just started this show last night (there are only three episodes so far–a new one airs every Sunday–you know, old-school. 😂) Nicole Kidman, as always, is incredible, and I absolutely adore Hugh Grant–I will say this is unlike anything I have ever seen him in. It’s a murder thriller set on New York’s Upper East Side, from the writer behind Big Little Lies, and if the first two episodes are anything to go by, I’m guessing it will be every bit as good! (We only allowed ourselves to watch two–we wanted to save the third one for later this week, haha!) Definitely give it a watch!” –Jess

Consider...

12 Things to do if you’re celebrating Thanksgiving solo

“Less than three weeks away, Thanksgiving will probably look very different this year for most of us. Whether you’re still working out plans, are keeping things casual, or doing something entirely different, this Everygirl article gives 12 ideas for things to do if you’re celebrating solo (or just differently) this year!” – Kendall

Read...

An Engagement Story (Not That Kind)

Image via A Cup of Jo

“Quite the departure from politics lately, I really enjoyed this recent essay from A Cup of Jo about personal myths and the expectations we set for ourselves. In the writer’s case, getting engaged and the symbol of an engagement ring. It’s short, sweet, and uplifting if you’re in a need of such a thing while you sip your morning coffee.” –Kendall

Smile...

Biden’s dog, “Major” to be the first shelter dog in the White House!

“The BEST news for all dog lovers!! “Major” Biden will be the first-ever White House shelter dog! According to the article, Joe and Jill adopted him in 2008 after his daughter, Ashley, sent him a Facebook post from the shelter saying they were looking for homes for the puppies, according to the article. The Bidens then called the shelter and wound up fostering and eventually adopting Major. They also have another German Shepherd, “Champ.” Both good boys will be making the move in January to restore the long-standing tradition of presidential dogs in the White House! ☺️” –Jess

Do...

Clean out your makeup bag!

“I don’t know about you guys, but I have been wearing wayyy less makeup than usual this year (as in I can count the occasions on one hand…), which I’m not complaining about! However, it recently dawned on me that some of my products are probably past their prime. I actually purged my expired makeup products as a stress-relieving task to pass the time last week! This article via Shape breaks down the shelf life of makeup products if your makeup bag has been collecting as much dust as mine this year!” –Kendall

CELEBRATE!!!...

NY Mag’s “Scenes from Your Election Celebration”

“I think I will be referring back to the photos snapped on the street this weekend for years and years and YEARS–whenever I need to remember what hope feels like. The photos the New Yorker rounded up from over the weekend are such a beautiful snapshot of America and they make my heart explode.” –Jess