Things that happened recently:

Kate Spade took her own life this week—her personal depression was seemingly at odds with her cheerful eponymous brand, but was it really?

I'm kind of obsessed with the fact that Melania Trump disappeared from the public eye for weeks—where did she go, what did she do?? Of course, no one could blame her for needing a break from these fine people.

Is the body positivity movement a scam? Speaking of bodies, I just finished this book and I think it should be required reading for anyone that currently inhabits one.

Things to do in New York this week:

Saturday is the annual Pet Day at Deno's Wonder Wheel Park in Coney Island. There is a costume contest at 2pm (!!) and pets ride the Wonder Wheel (with their owners) for free.

Speaking of pets, Sunday is the annual Pug Fun Day at the Alice Austen house on Staten Island in memory of Austen's own pug, Punch.

I'm extra bummed I'll be missing this free talk on Tuesday about the fascinatingly strange Carl Tanzler, aka Count Carl von Cosel, a doctor who was found in 1940 to be living with the corpse of his former (beloved) patient.

Things that I've discovered recently:

I went to World Market on my lunch break this week to buy this frame with duck feet that Kaylah mentioned, but they didn't have it. So I went down the block to City Cakes (home of the half pound cookie) and bought this Rainbowdoodle instead. A portion of the proceeds from every cookie will be donated to the NYC Anti-Violence Project, so I felt even less guilt.

I know I've mentioned that these are the BEST no-show socks I've ever tried (and it feels as if I've tried them all), but I've been wearing them nonstop lately and they continue to impress me. If you've never bought Bombas before, they're pricey but believe me these are worth it—and first-time customers get 25% with this link (and I will get a discount too, but I wouldn't recommend these if I didn't really want to sing their praises!).

A friend passed along this Twitter account to me and it's my new favorite follow. And if you're not familiar with the best Wheel of Fortune contestant ever, Raymond, you're missing out.

As you read this I'm on my way to Phoenix for an epic five-day road trip with my road trip bestie, JMP. We're renting a car and making our way to Albuquerque over the five days, with stops in Arizona—including a super special wedding and a stay at my third and final Wigwam Motel—and New Mexico. I'm happiest when I'm on the road with a Google Map full of kitschy stops and even the 100+ degree temps can't make me any less excited (it's a dry heat, right??). I'm sure you'll get sick of hearing about this road trip after a few hundred posts, but I've been planning it so long that I can't believe it's finally happening. I've scheduled a few posts here while I'm gone, but you can also follow along on our road trip via my Instagram stories, if you're interested. Have a great weekend and pray that our pasty, white, indoor bodies survive all that desert sun!

Happy Friday!