The Weekend Edit No. 25
The change I made in my appearance, World Refugee Day, J.Crew's big sale, and the new shows we're loving right now
Happy Friday everyone. How was your week? As has become our routine over the last year, we’re at the farm for a few days this weekend. Right now I’m sipping a glass of vino as I type this, while PJ is firing up the grill. It’s cheeseburgers for dinner! I can hear our kids’ laughter just outside as they jump on the trampoline. It’s a peaceful night out here, and I’m grateful we’re spending it as a family in our happy place.
I wanted to let you in on something I did yesterday, something pretty drastic (at least for me). It’s something I have always wanted to do but never had the courage to actually go through with it. But with it being summer and Pride month, it felt like the perfect time to just do it.
I dyed my hair.
Like, had it dyed professionally. And let me tell you, dear reader, it didn’t turn out as I had hoped. The color didn’t take well and it didn’t look at all like the picture I showed her, so I am going back for another session to hopefully fix it. At the risk of sounding too dramatic, I (unfortunately) put a lot of weight and importance on my hair and the way it looks; I have for as long as I can remember. I feel like so much of my identity is tied to it, which can only set me up for failure, can’t it?
When I saw how my hair looked yesterday after the two hour+ session, I was short of breath. I called PJ when I left the salon and could barely form words. What had I done? Why did I do this when I was happy with the way my hair looked to begin with? This feels like a topic that could be explored in an entire newsletter, so maybe I’ll do that for Tuesday’s letter.
Have you ever had a bad dye job? How did you handle it? How did you fix it? Would love to hear your stories.
For now, though, it’s the weekend and I couldn’t be happier to be spending it out here at the farm with the family. It’s officially the first day of summer, and with everything going on in the world right now, that feels like something to celebrate, doesn’t it?
Speaking of something to celebrate, J.Crew is having their Big Summer Event right now, where almost everything is up to 50% off! Here are three of the items in my cart:
Chore Jacket. I’ve always wanted one of these French-inspired coats, and I think this navy one (it also comes in a creamy white) will look so good with a pair of white pants. I’ll show you how it fits when it gets here.
Rugby Polo. I actually ordered this shirt back in December, but there was an issue with shipping and it never got to me. Not this time though! It’s on sale for $39, which is the lowest price I’ve ever seen.
Linen Shorts. Is there anything that screams “summer” more than linen shorts? I love the little pocket at the top. The best past is they’re 61% off and currently only $34.
Also, and this happens pretty much every Weekend Edit- this newsletter is too long for email, so you may want to click through to Substack see the whole thing.
Have a cozy weekend, friends! xoxo
WATCH
Murderbot (Apple TV+): Alexander Skarsgård stars as a rogue security android with a secret love for soap operas and a deadly talent for saving humans who don’t always deserve it. He’s witty, dry, and would always rather be watching his programs than saving someone. The episodes are under 30 minutes, making them fun and easily digestible.
And Just Like That Season 3 (Max): The Sex and the City crew navigates love, friendship, and midlife reinvention in the third season of this comfort show. Plus, Carrie’s Gramercy Park townhouse that serves as the backdrop for many scenes is so dreamy!
Sirens (Netflix): Julianne Moore and Meghan Fahy lead this guilty pleasure of a show that, five episodes in, has be struggling to find the point of it. Still, it’s fun to watch and is a little campy. Devon (Fahy) thinks her younger sister has a weird relationship with her sister’s boss (Moore), so she goes to this exclusive island to figure out what’s going on and uncover secrets in one explosive weekend.
Sinners (Streaming): We finally watched this horror movie starring the sexy Michal B. Jordan, and it definitely lived up to the hype. Jordan stars as identical twin brothers, World War I veterans Smoke and Stack Moore, who return to 1932 Clarksdale, Mississippi, to invest in a juke joint aimed at uplifting their Black community. But things don’t go as planned, and everything goes off the rails in this movie that blends Southern Gothic horror, historical injustice, and supernatural vengeance into one gripping period thriller.
Echo Valley (Apple TV+): Julianne Moore (she’s everywhere!) stars in this tense thriller about a woman whose quiet farm life is shattered by her daughter’s unexpected and dangerous return. Sydney Sweeney also stars, and PJ and I both enjoyed this film that has twists and turns until the very end.
READ
Everything to Know About Juneteenth. This article from People.com explains the holiday, which was yesterday, in great detail, and outlines the historical significance of it on its 160th anniversary. The day is “a commemoration of hard-won independence and a reflection of the ongoing fight against systemic racism,” and was celebrated all over the country.
LISTEN
Call Her Daddy Podcast. I know I am SO late to the game, but I finally started listening to this podcast created and hosted Alex Cooper and I am officially hooked. I love how every episode feels like just having a conversation with a friend. Right now I am loving the latest episode with Sarah Jessica Parker, and I thought the one with Jane Goodall was especially good.
We linked them, you loved them. The top items you clicked on the most last month are all in one place in our Monthly Edit. Tap the photo above to shop all of them (including my fave- the multiple device charging station!)
Today is World Refugee Day! To celebrate, we proudly stand with refugees and support USA for UNHCR’s mission to protect and support refugees and amplify their voices.
Funding cuts are putting refugee lives at risk. UNHCR is working around the clock to ensure refugees have what they need to survive — including water, food, healthcare, shelter and services for children, women and victims of sexual violence.
This World Refugee Day, join us in supporting UNHCR’s incredible efforts to stay and deliver by making a compassionate gift to USA for UNHCR. Together we can help save lives, restore dignity and offer hope to those who have lost everything.
World Refugee Day Storyteller
24-year-old Desange Kuenihira was forced to flee the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as a child and spent 12 years in Uganda as a refugee. She was resettled as a teen to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she earned a college degree. In 2018, Desange founded unDEfeated, a non-profit organization with the mission of empowering youth and women in Uganda.
She is a powerhouse. Shaped by her experience growing up as a refugee, Desange has gone on to reduce child marriages and empower women in Uganda, write a book and design a fashion line. Get to know her and discover some of the incredible ways refugees are shaping the world around us here.
Have a wonderful weekend. We’ll see you on Tuesday. If you feel up to it, please like this post and share it! It helps get the word out and lets others discover Okay McKay. Thank you, friend!
Oh no. I’m sad that you are sad. And yes it will grow out; but, in the meanwhile I feel bad that you are unhappy. Hopefully, your stylist can get you fixed up in the interim. I understand how important this can be to you. However, please always remember that the person you are and the person I know and love is not tied to your hair.
Big hugs to you. ❤️🤗
Thomas, I completely understand where you are coming from. One time, when the boys were younger, I had my hair cut way too short and highlighted so light that it looked nearly white!! The worst part is that this “new” hairstyle made me look SO much older than I actually was. For a few months, people thought I was my boys’ grandmother rather than their own mom. (I received the "grandma" comment 5 times in a single month!) There were days when I came home crying to my husband. (I didn’t look that old, did I?) Unfortunately, I had to simply wait it out. My hair is now back to its natural blond and I’ve let it grow long, which has really boosted my confidence. The other day I took my older son to the bank and the bank teller thought I was my son’s sister. A complete 180 from a few years before!
I’m sure you will find something that you love and suits you perfectly. Hang in there!
We’re grilling this weekend, too. Nothing really beats a good summer BBQ! Enjoy your weekend McKay family! 💕