Here we are entering our last weekend of July, seven months into a year that has been, well, a year. As we turn the corner to another month—one filled with back-to-school rituals in a time that, for many of us, will feel nothing like back-to-school at all—let’s remember to pause occasionally. To take deep breaths. To find the good and the meaning and the lessons amidst all of the bad and the uncertainty. To continue donating and showing up and supporting those who need it.

Today we’re rounding up some of the moving, insightful, refreshing things that caught our team’s attention over the course of the past few weeks. If there’s anything you came across this month that you’d like to share, we’d love to hear your input in the comments! We hope you enjoy the weekend folks.

1. Letetra Widman, Jacob Blake’s sister, gave a powerfully moving speech this week reminding people of the deep importance of human life; reminding people that the injustices Black people face are nothing new. She said, “So many people have reached out to me telling me they’re sorry that this happened to my family. Well don’t be sorry, because this has been happening to my family for a long time, longer than I can account for. It happened to Emmett Till; Emmett Till is my family. Philando, Mike Brown, Sandra. . . . I don’t want your pity. I want change.” You can donate to the GoFundMe for Jacob Blake and his family here.

2. Do me a favor and read this beautifully penned essay by Gabrielle Mbeki on Man Repeller, about dating in the time of social distancing. (I know it’s the end of the week and maybe you’re out of favors to give, but if you’ve got one left, please grant it. Thanks.) Whether you yourself are on the dating scene or not, it’s an intimate, insightful exploration of what it feels like to court another human right now, and it’s well worth a read. I got to the end of the post and delicately yelled, “No! I want more!!” because I am calm and collected when something is that good.

3. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez walks us through her morning skin-care and makeup routine on Vogue, and it’s a true delight to watch. As she says, “The reason why I think it’s so important to share these things is that, first of all, femininity has power, and in politics there is so much criticism and nitpicking about how women and femme people present ourselves. Just being a woman is quite politicized here in Washington…. There’s this really false idea that if you care about makeup or if your interests are in beauty and fashion, that that’s somehow frivolous. But I actually think these are some of the most substantive decisions that we make—and we make them every morning.”

4. W&D contributor Megan McCarty launched a newsletter this week called Night Vision, and the first installment had me fully enthralled. Megan has been writing for Wit & Delight for years, and if you’ve liked her articles, chances are you’ll like this too. She’ll be sharing essays, poems, and observations on life in her signature writing style. You can sign up and read the first edition here.

5. One of our eternally favorite brands, Nisolo, is having their end of season sale through Monday, August 31, and for the first time ever, the sale is going digital. You’ll find samples, factory seconds, and discontinued designs marked down for their deepest discount of the year! Additionally, you’ll receive 15% off full-price items with code NEWSEASON (masks and cleaning products excluded). If you’d like to see how Kate’s styled a few of her favorite Nisolo pieces, take a look at this post.

6. Now for a couple of shows to watch! First up: I May Destroy You. Bridgette, our brand director, highly recommends this HBO show that’s written by, directed by, and stars Michaela Coel. The show follows Arabella, who’s in the process of rebuilding her life after sexual assault. (Content warning: There are frank depictions and discussions of sexual assault throughout the show.) Coel is mesmerizing in the role, and this show is well worth a watch.

7. Second: Love on the Spectrum. I cruised through this Netflix series this week (there are only five episodes, it’s not that tough!) and was absolutely engrossed by the cast and heartfelt storytelling. The show follows individuals with autism spectrum disorder as they embark on the dating path, many of them for the first time. It’s a personal look into what it means to date and look for love with a disability. (If you’re looking for more things to watch, you can find 19 of our additional recommendations here.)

8. Alina Selyukh writes about the return of the house dress for NPR. And folks, it probably goes without saying but this is a trend we can wholeheartedly get behind.

9. For all of you with little ones at home (or nephews, or friends’ kids, ororor), we wanted to share that W&D writer Kolina Cicero recently published a children’s book called Rosie and the Hobby Farm. It’s a wonderful read that celebrates the values of loyal friendship, patience, self-care, playfulness, hard work, and the most important lesson of all: how to take care of each other. It would be a great gift for any of the kids in your life!

10. A delightful article by Caroline Donofrio on Cup of Jo that explores the profound yet simple power of rediscovering nature. I love this line: “What I have realized, in my time at home, is that home is much bigger than I previously thought. Home isn’t four walls or even the hearts we share them with. Home is the great spinning mystery around us. Nature is part of that home. It’s always there, waiting for us to notice. You don’t need to set aside time or plan a visit or venture to a national park. You just have to look around.”

11. And, finally, some additional entertaining and/or helpful gems for you, pulled from the depths of social media. A handy tip to keep in your back pocket re: drinking during the pandemic, via @amyschumer. This highlight from Elena Lohse at @thishouse5000 on how to DIY your own foam mirror. And this video from @shelbywolstein on the confusing nuances of the 1 – 10 pain scale.